Birkirkara extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches as they defeated Lija Athletic 4-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday. This was also the fourth win in five matches for Andre Paus’s side.

The Stripes re-join Sliema Wanderers in fourth place, three points behind Gzira United.

Lija, on the other hand, remain second from bottom as they suffered the third defeat in three matches.

Birkirkara took the lead ion the 23rd minute thanks to Federico Falcone who hit low past goalkeeper Luke Bonnici following a cross from the right by Luke Montebello.  

Eight minutes later, the Stripes doubled the score thanks to an own goal by Ismael Borg who anticipated Luke Montebello, following a cross by Alex da Paixao Alves, hitting home past Bonnici.

Eight minutes in the second half, Luke Montebello made it 3-0, beating Bonnici with an angled shot from the left when served by Paul Mbong.

Lija pulled one back on the 64th minute when off a long through pass by Leon Muscat, Fernando Brandan beat Enrico Pepe on the run and beat goalkeeper Guarnone.

However, on the 84th minute, Luke Montebello advanced on the left and served Cain Attard whose shot hit the crossbar before ending at the back of the net.

B’KARA Alessandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello (89’ Caio Prado), Paul Mbong (89’ Glending Farrugia), Kurt Zammit, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Oscar Carniello, Alex Da Paixao Alves (77’ Isaac Ntow).
Subs not used: Miguel Spiteri, Roderick Briffa, Neil Friggieri, Owen Sciberras.
Coach: Andre Paus

LIJA Luke Bonnici, Pedro Gusso, Leon Muscat, Ismael Borg, Harry Wood (62’ Neil Micallef), Fernando Brandan, Walter Serrano, Miguel Perez Jimenez (89’ Beppe Antignolo), Clayton Giordimaina, Gonzalo Nicolas Virano (89’ Daniel Scerri), Carlos Flores.
Subs not used: Dylan Galea, Carl Cassar, Alessio Galea, Andre White.
Asst. Coach: Matthew Genuis

Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Ivan Galea
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Virano, Attard, Gusso, Zammit, Bonanni
BOV Player of the Match: Luke Montebello