Birkirkara keep the pace with the leaders

Birkirkara kept the pace with leaders Hibernians as they registered a 3-0 win over Mosta.

Two goals within the first thirty minutes paved the way for Paul Zammit’s side, adding another late in the game. For Mosta, this was the third defeat in five matches. The Blues, who lie just two points ahead of Pietà and Zebbug and three ahead of Naxxar and Tarxien, won just one of the last ten matches.

The Stripes had two changes from the team which defeated Naxxar last week as Joseph Zerafa and Rafael Ledesma replaced Edmond Agius and Nassir Maachi. For Mosta, Gambian winger Alieu Darbo replaced the suspended Ryan Grech.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 17th minute when following a good run on the right flank, Edward Herrera served the unmarked Ryan Camenzuli who hit home from close range.

The Stripes doubled the score on 29 minutes when a Camenzuli effort hit the upright and off the rebound, Rafael Ledesma controlled the ball before slotting past Omar Borg.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Ryan Camenzuli had a powerful shot partially saved by Borg and off the rebound, Paul Fenech served Camenzuli once again who hit just wide.

Birkirkara sealed the issue with a third goal seven minutes from time when substitute Nassir Maachi concluded a good move on the left flank with an inviting pass for Edmond Agius who tapped the ball to Haruna Shola Shodiya to slam the ball home.

MOSTA Omar Borg, Ian Zammit, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Mark Brincat, Mickael Nicoise Dawood (46′ Udo Fortune), Alieu Darbo, Dyson Falzon, Karl Pulo (55′ Ousman Koli), Gary Roberts, Kurt Magro (85′ James Brincat), Tyrone Farrugia.
Subs not used: Kyle Gerafa, Zach Brincat, Adrian Borg, Aaron Sammut.
Coach: Peter Smith

B’KARA Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Nikola Vukanac, Haruna Shola Shodiya (86′ Kurt Zammit), Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma (71′ Edmond Agius), Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli (79′ Nassir Ahmed Maachi), Joseph Zerafa, Mauricio Matias Mazzetti Latini.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Matheus Bissi da Silva, Antoine Borg, Gareth Sciberras.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referee: Mitchell Scerri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Marco Borg
Yellow Cards: Zerafa, Fenech, Borg, Z. Muscat
Scorers: 17′ Ryan Camenzuli, 29′ Rafael Ledesma, 83′ Haruna Shola Shodiya
BOV Player of the Match: Edward Herrera