Birkirkara beat Sliema in entertaining goal-fest

Five goals were scored in the opening 23 minutes in a highly entertaining start to the match, and despite the Wanderers having had a player sent off, it was only late in added time that Birkirkara added a fourth goal to secure all three points which keep them eight points behind Hibernians.

Birkirkara went in front on the 4th minute when off a Zach Muscat free kick, the unmarked Ryan Camenzuli hit the ball past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

Sliema quickly drew level on the 8th minute when off a cross from the left, Alex Muscat’s first-time effort gave Haber no chance.

The Stripes went in front once again 14 minutes thanks to a free kick by Rafael Ledesma as despite Zammit’s effort to fully stretch himself towards the ball it was not enough to stop Ledesma’s effort from ending at the back of the net.

Three minutes later, the score level once again as a direct free kick by the Italian Andrea Pisanu beat the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

However Birkirkara regained the lead on 23 minutes as off a cross by Rafael Ledesma, Edward Herrera headed the ball into the direction of Ryan Camenzuli who beat the Sliema custodian with another header.

Past the half hour mark into the second half,  Paul Fenech made his way towards goal before firing a powerufl shot which was warded off by Zammit, in came Camenzuli who miscued the rebound. On the other side, Mateus Ribeiro anticipated the onrushing Haber but dragged his effort just wide

On the sixty minute mark, Haber produced a smart save to keep out Pedrinho’s free-kick. Sliema’s afternoon took a negative twist when Marko Potezica was dismissed for hauling down Ledesma through on goal.

The Wanderers were reduced to ten men on 73 minutes after Marko Potezica tripped Rafael Ledesma.

Deep into stoppage-time, with the Blues all out in search of the equaliser, including goalkeeper Glenn Zammit, Birkirkara scored the fourth and final goal thanks to Nassir Maachi.

Referee: Tristan Farrugia Cann

BOV Man of the Match: Ryan Camenzuli