Second-half goals hand Birkirkara 3-0 win

Marcelo França de Siqueira scored twice as Birkirkara returned to winning ways, defeating Mosta 3-0 at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.

The Stripes remain seventh, just one point behind Balzan and Hamrun. Mosta, on the other hand, suffered a sixth consecutive defeat.

New Mosta coach Mark Miller named Renan Oliveira, Steve Bonnici, Romeu Romao and new recruit Rafael Morisco in lieu of Dexter Xuereb, Francesco Mazzavillani, Kurt Zammit and the suspended Alessio De Cerchio.

The Stripes, on the other hand, had two changes from their last outing as they welcomed back Danilo Chapoval while Myles Beerman was awarded a place in the starting line-up.They replaced Arian Mrsulja and Kurt Zammit.

In added time, just before the end of the first half, Birkirkara went close through Eduardo Mancha who hit the crossbar with a header off a cross by Matthew Guillaumier.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 55th minute thanks to Marcelo França de Siqueira e Silva whose powerful drive from outside the area beat the Mosta goalkeeper.

Substitute Dexter Xuereb went close for Mosta, first with a shot from outside the area ending wide on the 71st minute and then nine minutes later, with a header which hit the posts.

Eight minutes from time, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty after Matthew Guillaumier was brought down inside the area by Tyrone Farrugia. From the penalty, Marcelo França de Siqueira e Silva converted.

A minute later, Michael Mifsud sealed the issue with a third goal when he concluded a solo effort on the left with a low shot from inside the area which gave Andreas Vella no chance.

MOSTA Andreas Vella, Kei Hirose, Renan Abner de Oliveira, Massimo Sammartino, Rafael Morisco da Silva, Misael Miranda Gomez, Tyrone Farrugia, Steven Bonnici, Zachary Brincat (37′ James Brincat), Juri Cisotti, Romeu Pericles Romau (69′ Dexter Xuereb).
Subs not used: Craig Abdilla, Luke Formosa, Aleandro Sultana, Jurgen Grech, Kurt Zammit.
Coach: Mark Miller

B’KARA Kristijan Naumovski, Danilo Chapoval, Matthew Guillaimer (85′ Terence Agius), Mislav Andjelkovic, Petar Orlandic (75′ Uchenna Umeh), Jake Grech (74′ Paul Fenech), Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos, Michael Mifsud, Cain Attard, Marcelo Franca de Siqueira e Silva, Myles Beerman.
Subs not used: David Cassar, Edward Herrera, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, Nevin Portelli.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Gomez, Guillaumier, Chapoval, Farrugia
BOV Player of the Match: Marcelo França de Siqueira