Birkirkara opened their Closing Round commitments in the 360Sports Malta Premier with a 5-2 win over Balzan at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Monday.
The Stripes took an early lead but by the end of the first half, Balzan had turned the score in their favour with a brace by Udoyen Akpan. However Birkirkara scored four times in the second half to take home the three points.
Birkirkara took the lead on 8 minutes when Maxuell Samurai rose high to head home off a Lecao corner from the right.
Balzan equalised on 22 minutes. Oluwatobiloba Awosanya Dimeji sent Udoyen Akpan through and the latter slotted the ball past goalkeeper GIacomo Volpe.
Three minutes in added time, Balzan made it 2-1 when Udoyen Akpan was brought down inside the area by Alessandro Coppola and the same Akpan converted from the penalty spot.
Birkirkara levelled matters eleven minutes in the second half when off a cross by Leandro Lacunza from the right, Manuel Morello tapped the ball home from close range.
The Stripes regained the lead on 69 minutes when off a Gnamien Yipke cross from the left, Leandro Lacunza controlled the ball before hitting hard past goalkeeper Ciappara.
Four minutes later, Maxuell Samurai extended the lead for Birkriakra hitting home off an assist by Yipke from the left.
Two minutes in added time, Samurai added another as he converted a penalty after Yipke was brought down inside the area.
>> Birkirkara FC vs Balzan FC match card