Last Gasp Goal Saves Birkirkara Under 17's

by Jonathan Spiteri - 3rd December 2012

Birkirkara Under 17's had to wait until the second half injury time in order to breach a resolute Sliema Wanderers defence and salvage a point on Sunday at the Luxol Stadium. Ironically, this was the same result as the one obtained against Hamrun Spartans in the previous match one week before.

This game was never a spectacular one, with both teams battling it out in the middle of the park and creative football coming at a premium. It was the Blues though who fashioned the clearest goalscoring opportunities, one of which was incredibbly missed by their forward with only the keeper to beat, following an incident where the two Birkirkara central defenders collided into each other. Sliema though went ahead at the third time of asking when one of their attacking players pounce on a ball which had just been cleared off the line. As the half wore on, the Stripes started to show more urgency, but they were only dangerous through a couple of freekicks.

The second half was a more-of-the-same affair, with Birkirkara trying to find a way through the organised Sliema defensive system, with the latter using their quick counter-attacking abilities to threaten the Yellow-Reds' goal. The closer Birkirkara got was through a long range freekick effort by Russell Gatt Deraffaele which skimmed the top of the crossbar. Coach Mr Glumac saw that the team required some changes and introduces some more attacking minded players. This made Sliema retreat deep inside their half and on the stroke of time, Birkirkara managed to level matters with a glancing header by Beppe Jaccarini off a set-piece by the usual Gatt Deraffaele. This goal was followed by scenes of joy in the Stripes' clan as one felt their efforts deserved at least a point.

Mr Glumac was pleased with the never-give-up atitude by his boys. “In the first half our opponents were perhaps superior but in the second half we came out more motivated and we believed until the very end that we can take something out of this game.”

Birkirkara Under 17s still have to wait for the upcoming fixtures to be issued by the Youth FA. This will be published on the Fixtures & Results page once notification of these fixtures is received by the Nursery.

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