Valletta and Birkirkara shared the spoils in a goalless draw in this weekend’s big match from the BOV Premier League at the National Stadium on Sunday. A result which satisfied most leaders Balzan who maintain a three-point cushion over Valletta and the Citizens to a certain extent as they stay four points clear of Birkirkara and Gzira United.

The Citizens therefore managed to halt Birkirkara’s impressive run of eight consecutive wins as both teams extend their unbeaten run to seven and nine matches respectively.

On the 9th minute, Albert Prosa concluded a good run on the right flank by anticipating Naumovski with a cross but Miguel Angel Alba failed to connect as he was obstructed by a defender. Two minutes later, Albert Prosa took advantage of an erratic clearance in midfield and advanced upfield before trying his luck with a shot from outside the area which was turned into a corner by the Birkirkara goalkeeper. Birkirkara missed a good opportunity on the 39th when off an inviting cross by Carlos Alberto from the right, Jake Grech was quite hesitant and Ryan Camilleri cleared the ball into safety.

Seventeen minutes in the second half, Ognjen Rolovic missed a good chance for Birkirkara concluding wide off, when all alone in front of the goalkeeper, following a cross by Carlos Alberto from the right. A goal bound header by Nikola Vukanac following a cross from the right by Rolovic was blocked by Ryan Camilleri on the 83rd minute. Three minutes from time, Santiago Malano’s curved shot from the edge of the area was saved in two attempts by the Birkirkara goalkeeper and a minute later, a header by Vukanac ended just over the bar following a cross by Scicluna.

Photo: Copyright © Andrew Grima

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VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Kyrian Nwoko (81′ Denni Rocha dos Santos), Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa, Raed Ibrahim Saleh (88′ Michael Mifsud), Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba (65′ Matteo Piciollo), Albert Prosa.
Subs not used: Andre Spiteri, Russell Fenech, Jean Borg, Nicholas Pulis.
Coach: Danilo Doncic

B’KARA Kristijan Naumovski, Fernando Barbosa Pereira, Mislav Andjelkovic, Jake Grech (80′ Terence Agius), Kurt Zammit, Ognjen Rolovic, Nikola Vukanac, Carlos Alberto da Silva Goncalves Junior (88′ Gianluca Zammit), Srdjan Dimitrov (71′ Edward Herrera), Ryan Scicluna, Cain Attard.
Subs not used: David Cassar, Matthew Guillaumier, Zach Cassar, Ayrton Attard.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Sultana
Additional Assistant Referees: Malcolm Spiteri, Jude Amin Utulu
Fourth Official: Thomas Debono
Yellow Cards: Vukanac, Muscat
BOV Player of the Match: Raed Ibrahim Saleh
Attendance: 4,013