Stripes return to victory

Birkirkara bounced back from last week’s defeat to leaders Balzan as they came from behind to beat Tarxien Rainbows 3-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.

A win which puts the Stripes back in third place, two points ahead of Gzira who however have a game in hand. Tarxien, on the other hand, remain fourth from bottom, one point ahead of St. Andrews and two ahead of Naxxar.

The Rainbows took the lead on the 15th minute thanks to Ricardo Silva Faria, served by Samba Tounkara, who concluded a good run by slotting the ball past Naumovski.

Birkirkara, however, levelled matters on the 35th minute when Waldemar Acosta headed the ball home off a cross by Cain Attard.

Four minutes from the end of the first half, the Stripes forged ahead thanks to Jake Grech, served by Acosta.

Tarxien could have equalised on the 58th minute when they were awarded a penalty but Ricardinho’s effort from the penalty spot was neutralised by Naumovski.

Birkirkara sealed the issue on the 72nd thanks to another goal by Jake Grech who gave goalkeeper Andrea Cassar no chance.

 

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Andre Scicluna, Sean Cipriott (69′ Boubacar Traore), Ebiabowei Baker, Luke Grech, Stefan Radovanovic, Eduard Calin, Gabriel Aquilina, Ricardo da Silva Faria, Wellington de Oliveira Vieira, Samba Tounkara.
Subs not used: Dean Sciberras, Andrew Agius, Matthew Brincat, Matteo Desira Buttigieg, Matthew Spiteri.
Coach: Jose Borg

B’KARA Kristijan Naumovski, Cain Attard, Lucas Maia, Fernando Barbosa Pereira, Kurt Zammit, Ryan Scicluna, Edward Herrera (84′ Ognjen Rolovic), Mislav Andjelkovic, Waldemar Acosta, Jake Grech (81′ Terence Agius), Carlos Alberto da Silva (88′ Nick Borg).
Subs not used: David Cassar, Ayrton Attard, Matthew Guillaumier, Gianluca Zammit.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Mitchell Scerri
Yellow Cards: Cipriott, Maia, Scicluna
BOV Player of the Match: Mislav Andjelkovic