Birkirkara were in a class of their own during the first half as they hit five past Sliema Wanderers, adding another goal after the break for a most comfortable 6-0 win. A win which puts them once again at the top of the BOV Premier League table, two points ahead of Valletta.

For the Blues, this was the fourth consecutive defeat and the fifth defeat in six matches, leaving them in fifth place one point behind Mosta.

Meanwhile thanks to this result, Hibernians are also sure of the third place and will therefore play in the UEFA Europa League this summer.

The Stripes lacked Joseph Zerafa with the unfit Gareth Sciberras being retained on the bench while Beppe Muscat, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Paltemio Barbetti, Admir Vladavic and Abubakar Bello-Osagie were ruled out for the Wanderers.

Birkirkara forged ahead after just five minutes when off a Jhonnattann freekick from the left, there was a short clearance by Jacob Borg and Haruna Shola Shodiya hit low past Glenn Zammit.

The Stripes doubled the score four minutes later when Shola Shodiya sent Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao through in a swift counter-attack and the Brazilian striker slotted the ball past the Sliema goalkeeper.

Haruna Shola Shodiya made it 3-0 on the 14th minute when he received a perfect assist by Jhonnattann and beat Zammit with a diagonal shot from the right.

A great volley by Ryan Camenzuli from outside the area on the 25th minutes gave Glenn Zammit no chance with the ball ending in the top left corner for the Stripes’ fourth goal.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Haruna Shola Shodiya made it 5-0, hitting low past Glenn Zammit following an inviting through pass by

The Wanderers were awarded a penalty on the hour after Stanley Ohawuchi was floored by Nikola Vukanac inside the area. However Ohawuchi’s attempt from the penalty spot was neutralised by Haber.

Birkirkara scored the sixth goal on the 69th thanks to a header by Matheus Bissi da Silva off a corner by Jhonnattann from the right.

B’KARA Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Matheus Bissi da Silva, Ryan Camenzuli, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech (46′ Kurt Zammit), Ryan Scicluna, Edward Herrera (61′ Antoine Borg), Haruna Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (69′ Frank Temile).
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Alejandro Mendoza Corujo, Gareth Sciberras, Terence Vella.
Coach: Paul Zammit

SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, Kane Farrugia (43′ Gabriel Aquilina), John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Stanley Ohawuchi, Alex Podda (58′ Ivan Woods), Trevor Cilia (75′ Axl Xuereb), Mathias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: Henry Bonello, Justin Vella, Carl Cassar, Aiden Jake Friggieri.
Coach: Alfonso Greco

Referee: Paul Caruana
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Borg, Alan Mario Sant
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Ohawuchi, Jhonnattann, Xuereb
Scorers: 5′ Haruna Shola Shodiya, 9′ Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, 14′ Haruna Shola Shodiya, 25′ Ryan Camenzuli, 40′ Haruna Shola Shodiya, 69′ Matheus Bissi da Silva
BOV Player of the Match: Haruna Shola Shodiya
Attendance: 1,514