Birkirkara returned to winning ways after three games from which they had collected just one point as they defeated Zabbar St. Patrick 2-0 in a match from the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase at the National Stadium on Friday.
The Stripes, who were coming from defeats to Mosta and Sliema Wanderers and a draw with Hibernians, were at the receiving end for most of the first half but then managed to take the lead thanks to a penalty. They hit the woodwork early in the second half and sealed the issue with a second goal in stoppage time.
For Zabbar, this was the third defeat in six matches as they have now gone four matches without a win.
Zabbar had three changes from their last game as Nicolas Lancioni, Tobias Moriceau and Thomas Mellilo were replaced by Shelom Magri, Pah Gouhon and Vinicius Mendonca.
On the other hand, for Birkirkara, Jefferson Vinicius, Jake Vassallo and Franklin Sasere were preferred to Alejandro Garzia, Kadu and Louis Pahama.
Birkirkara managed to take the lead two minutes from the end of the first half when after reviewing the FVS, the referee ordered a penalty after Strahinja Jovancic fouled Zach Muscat inside the area. From the penalty spot, Franklin Sasere made no mistake to put Birkirkara ahead.
Amarildo was unlucky to hit the crossbar for Birkirkara on 62 minutes but two minutes in added time, they doubled the score when Louis Pahama rounded two players before serving Pablo Gabriel who hit low past goalkeeper Mohorovic.