Birkirkara start new campaign with a win

They were in control from the beginning of the match and their first scoring opportunity came in the 30th minute, when a powerful shot from outside the area by Ryan Scicluna was deflected into a corner.

Birkirkara took the lead in the 40th minute. A very short clearance by Pieta was intercepted by Rafael Ledesma, with the latter unleashing a powerful shot from outside the area which left no chance for goalkeeper David Cassar.

The match turned for the worse for Pieta when four minutes into the second half they were reduced to 10 men as Rafael Xavier Zacarias was sent off by referee Philip Farrugia after hitting out at Ryan Camenzuli.

Birkirkara were now in command of the match and managed to double the score in the 76th minute. Off a cross by Zach Muscat, Ellinton Costa Morais controlled the ball and beat goalkeeper David Cassar with his shot from close range.

Pieta managed to reduce the gap with a goal in the 90th minute, when Cain Attard beat goalkeeper Justin Haber off a cross with his shot from close range.

BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Matheus Bissi da Silva, Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais (84′ Antoine Borg), Nikola Vukanac, Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma, Eliandro dos Santos Gonzaga (46′ Kurt Zammit), Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat, Ryan Scicluna, Edward Herrera (69′ Leighton Grech), Ryan Camenzuli.

Subs not used: Justin Tonna, Alejandro Mendoza Corujo, Andrea Curmi, Russell Gatt de Raffaele.

Coach: Paul Zammit

PIETA HOTSPURS David Cassar, Cain Attard, Christian Grech, Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos, Jurgen Pisani, Quilin Refalo, Terence Agius, Rafael Rodrigues da Silva (77′ Neil Pace Cocks), Malcolm Licari (66′ Cleaven Cassar), Rafael Xavier Zacarias, Dylan Agius (59′ Luke Micallef).

Substitutes: Miguel Montfort, Karl Micallef, Jordie Delia, Ayrton Mizzi.

Coach: Noel Coleiro

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Roberto Vella

Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri

Yellow Cards: R. Scicluna, D. Agius, P. Fenech, K. Zammit

Red Cards: 49′ Rafael Xavier

Scorers: 40′ Rafael Ledesma (B), 76′ Ellinton Costa Morais (B), 90′ Cain Attard (P)

BOV Player of the Match: Rafael Ledesma