Birkirkara moved on top the BOV Premier League table as they managed to score another seven goals against Mosta in a repeat of the 7-1 win they had registered in the second round.
The Stripes now lie on the 28-point mark, one ahead of Valletta.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
Mosta lacked Ferdinando Apap, Steve Onyii Chiemeka and Alex Cini apart from Steve Bezzina. Birkirkara, on the other hand, were in full strength.
The Stripes took just four minutes to forge ahead when off a Jhonnattann freekick from the left, Nikola Vukanac headed the ball home past goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza’s close-range effort was deflected into a corner by Jeffrey Farrugia when served by Rodrigo Pereira on 29 minutes.
Mosta equalised on 33 minutes thanks to Danial Mitev who received an assist by Ryan Grech and advanced before hitting past Haber.
The Mosta goalkeeper was once again prominent as he performed a great save into a corner on a fine Jhonnattann effort on the 39th.
One minute from half-time, the Stripes regained the lead when off a corner by Jhonnattann, Rodrigo Pereira headed the ball home.
Thirteen seconds in the second half, Birkirkara scored the third goal when off a cross by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Jhonnattan Benites da Conceicao beat Jeffrey Farrugia with a good header.
Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao added another on 57 minutes, hitting home from close range off an inviting cross by Edward Herrera from the right.
Jhonnattan served Joseph Zerafa from the left and the latter beat Farrugia with a diagonal shot for the Stripes’ fifth goal.
Birkirkara added another goal on the 69th minute thanks to a long-distance shot by Rowen Muscat which beat the Mosta goalkeeper.
Three minutes from time, substitute Joselito dos Reis sealed the issue with a seventh goal as he beat Farrugia with a shot from inside the area.
Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao was voted BOV Player of the Match.
B’KARA Justin Haber, Edward Herrera (61’ Rowen Muscat), Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Rodrigo Pereira (61’ Harun Shola Shodiya), Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (80’ Joselito dos Reis), Ryan Scicluna, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Yosimar Hernandez.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino
MOSTA Jeffrey Farrugia, Tyrone Farrugia, Bryan Agius, Mano Micallef, Giancarlo Sammut (77’ Ugochukwu Okoro), Ryan Grech (54’ Kurt Zammit), Danail Mitev, Kurt Magro, Carlos Campagnoli (54’ Jonathan Bajada), Fabio Vignaroli, Bruno Chikwadu Mbonu.
Subs not used: Noel Attard, John Paul Grima, Steve Schembri, Samuel Kehinde.
Coach: Danilo Doncic
Asst. Coach: Mark Vella
Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Luke Portelli
Fourth Official: Marco Borg
Yellow Cards: Grech, Magro
Scorers: 4’ Nikola Vukanac (B); 33′ Danial Mitev (M); 45′ Rodrigo Pereira (B); 46′ Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (B); 49′ Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (B); 57′ Joseph Zerafa (B); 69’ Rowen Muscat (B); 87’ Joselito dos Reis (B)
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
[nggallery id=462]
Sliema Wanderers joined Hibernians in third place as they scored twice in the last twenty-one minutes to beat them 2-0.
The Wanderers have now gone six games without defeat while Hibernians suffered a second consecutive defeat.
The two teams lie on the 26-point mark, two points behind Birkirkara and one behind Valletta.
Ryan Camilleri, Zoran Levnajic and Obinna Obiefule were missing for Hibernians but Edison Luis dos Santos was included in the squad for the first time. Beppe Muscat, Andrew Decesare and Henry Bonello were missing for Sliema.
The two teams shared the exchanges throughout the first half. There was hardly any shot at goal except for a good chance for Sliema which occurred on 22 minutes with Mark Scerri heading just wide off a cross by Ian Zammit.
The Wanderers managed to break the deadlock on 69 minutes when Matias Muchardi had a first attempt from outside the area blocked by a defender and off the rebound, his fine curved shot gave goalkeeper Mario Muscat no chance.
Seven minutes from time, Ian Zammit doubled the score for Sliema with an angled shot from the right which beat the Hibs custodian.
Matias Muchardi was voted BOV Player of the Match.
HIBS Mario Muscat, Adrian Pulis (30’ Scott Chircop), Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (72’ Allan Kardeck dos Santos), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen (56’ Edison Luis dos Santos), Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Clayton Failla, Jean Paul Farrugia, Brandon Muscat.
Subs not used: Rudi Briffa, Ayrton Azzopardi, Johann Bezzina, Timothy Tabone Desira.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla
SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Luca Martinelli, Paltemio Barbetti, Mark Scerri, Ian Zammit, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods (64’ Luigi Ruggiero), Shaun Bajada (89’ Josef Mifsud), Matias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: James Abela, Stanley Ohawuchi, John Mintoff, Alain Faccini, Miguel Ciantar.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: JoJo Bajada
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Scerri, B. Muscat, Woods, Martinelli, Lima, Tarabai, Gatt Baldacchino
Red Cards: 88’ Martinelli
Scorers: 69’ Matias Muchardi, 83’ Ian Zammit
Attendance: 405