Wanderers turn defeat into victory as they beat Birkirkara 2-1

Sliema Wanderers joined Gzira United, Hamrun Spartans and Hibernians on top the BOV Premier League table as they came from behind to beat Birkirkara 2-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Monday.

The Blues, in fact, return to winning ways and move on the thirteen-point mark while the Stripes remain joint-third from bottom on just four.

Sliema were reduced to ten men on the 14th minute following a reckless tackle by Riki Kakinuma on an opponent and on the 36th minute, Birkirkara’s Italian defender Francesco Verde was also sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Birkirkara managed to take the lead just before the end of the first half when a shot by Federico Falcone was blocked by Sliema goalkeeper Jake Galea with the ball bouncing onto defender Kurt Shaw and into the net for an own goal.

The Blues equalised on the 59th minute thanks to Sylvano Comvalius who headed the ball home off an inviting cross by Dejan Vukovic.

Ten minutes from time, Sliema notched the winner thanks to a close-range header by Jean Paul Farrugia following a long-distance freekick from the left.

B’KARA Alessandro Guarnone, Paul Mbong (74 Kurt Zammit), Roderick Briffa, Yannick Yankam, Reginald Mbu Alidor, Federico Falcone, Francesco Verde, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Alex da Paixao Alves (66 Luke Montebello), Isaac Ntow.

SLIEMA Jake Galea, Kurt Shaw, Juri Cisotti, Danny Holla (20′ Edmond Agius), Gabriel Aquilina, Riki Kakinuma, Oscar Linton, Jean Paul Farrugia, Myles Beerman, Dejan Vukovic, Sylvano Comvalius (80′ Denilson).

Referee Matthe De Gabriele.
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Andrea Sciriha
Yellow Cards: Verde, Briffa, Agius
Red Cards: 14′ Riki Kakinuuma, 36′ Francesco Verde
BOV Player of the Match: Juri Cisotti