Match Report | Birkirkara FC - Hamrun Spartans

by Clayton Schembri - 23rd August 2021

Birkirkara FC registered their second consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League and are occupying first place together with Hibernians and Valletta, when they emerged winners against Hamrun Spartans on Saturday evening.

The Stripes confirmed their rich form with another very satisfactory victory and came back from a goal down to beat Hamrun Spartans.

Coach Andre Pause made one change from the team which defeated Mosta as Paul Mbong replaced Claudio Bonanni.

Hamrun went in search after just two minutes, Joseph Mbong had a close range effort blocked by Kurt Zammit and one minute later, El Bakhtaoui effort was neutralised by goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes.

Birkirkara Appealed for a penalty in the 15th minute after Federico Falcone seemed to have been pushed inside the area after a cross from Luke Montebello.

Hamrun went close four minutes later. When Faissal El Bakhtaoui was from outside the area was tipped onto the crossbar by Daniel Fernandes with Enrico Pepe clearing the ball into safety.

In the 25th minute in a swift counter-attack by the Stripes, Luke Montebello advanced on the left but his run was halted by goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Hamrun broke the dead-lock in the 32th minute, when Joseph Mbong served Ailton Soares with a perfect pass on the left side and the latter anticipated Fernandes with a low shot which ended up in the back of the net.

The Stripes levelled matters eight minutes later thanks to a fine header by Luke Montebello, after Yannick Yankam delivered a cross from the left.

After the break, the Stripes went close after three minutes, when Yankam had a close-range effort blocked by Bonello.
Birkirkara took the lead in the 58th minute. A powerful freekick by Diego Venancio from the right was partially saved by Bonello and Falcone hit low past the Hamrun custodian.

The Stripes remained in control as they enjoyed most of the possession. However, two minutes into stoppage time, Birkirkara were reduced to ten men when substitute Claudio Bonanni was sent off for a rough tackle on an opponent.

Luke Montebello was voted the BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA: Daniel Fernandes, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam (70′ Leandro Aguirre), Luke Montebello (86′ Kilian Bevis), Paul Mbong (57′ Claudio Bonanni), Kurt Zammit, Federico Falcone (86′ Enzo Ruiz), Cain Attard, Oscar Carniello, Jeferson Macedo (69′ Ryan Scicluna), Diego Venancio.
Coach: Andre Paus

HAMRUN: Henry Bonello, Darko Gojkovic, Joseph Mbong, Ailton Jorge Soares, Franklin Sasere, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Predrag Djordjevic (80′ Arthur Oyama), Karl Micallef (74′ Christian Mercieca), Claude Dielna, Emerson Marcelina (86′ Soufiane Lagzir), Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
Coach: Mark Buttigieg
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Ishmael Barbara
Yellow Cards: Pepe, Micallef, Scicluna, Gojkovic
Red Cards: 90+2′ Claudio Bonanni

BOV Player of the Match: Luke Montebello

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