Morais' strike puts Birkirkara back on track
by Ayrton Galea - 4th November 2014A goal by the Club's top scorer, Ellinton Morais enabled Birkirkara FC to narrow the gap with leaders Hibernians FC in the BOV Premier League, when they defeated Sliema Wanderers FC with a result of 1-0.
With Hibernians trashing Mosta with a 5-0 score, and opening a ten-point gap on top of the table, the pressure increased on the Stripes, but they showed character by getting the three points.
It was rather a drab encounter especially after Birkirkara surged ahead, as the match produced too little scoring opportunities. On the plus side for the Stripes, they played better football and enjoyed an edge over their opponents. When Sliema increasing the pressure in the second half, the Stripes' defence stood strong, to keep a second clean sheet.
Thanks to three points, the Stripes strengthened their second place position on the twenty-one point mark, five over third-placed, Valletta FC and Balzan FC while seven points under current leaders Hibernians FC. This match also brought to an end the unbeaten run of Sliema Wanderers who were undefeated in the previous four matches.
Mr. Paul Zammit fielded a 3-5-2 formation and made just one change from the narrow defeat against Hibernians, as Shola Shodiya replaced Nikola Vukanac who was unavailable for this match. Vyacheslav Shevchenko was named with the eighteen-man squad, along with Gareth Sciberras who made his return from injury.
The tactical position featured no surprises. Bissi joined Mendoza and Muscat in the back-three line, with Herrera and Camenzuli patrolling the wing-backs. Paul Fenech and Ryan Scicluna were deployed in midfield, while Ledesma had the usual role of roaming behind the two strikers, Morais and Shodiya, with the latter making the first appearance from the start in this league campaign.
The First Half
There was a slow start to the match but Birkirkara threatened first. After three minutes, Ledesma chested down the ball in the direction of Paul Fenech who saw his strike from outside the box ending over. A free-kick by Ledesma was deflected into a corner ten minutes later.
Sliema produced their first scoring opportunity on the eighteenth minute. Michael Mifsud dribbled past his marker and surged forward but he saw his strike ending over. The Stripes replied a minute later with a header of Shodiya, that ended wide. Moments later a shot by Paul Fenech ended over.
Birkirkara surged ahead on the twenty-second minute. The fast movement of Shodiya troubled the Sliema rear-guard, and he found space to deliver a low cross in the path of Ellinton Morais, who from a perfect position had no trouble slotting home.
Sliema reacted quickly with an effort by Michal Mifsud blocked by Haber on the twenty-fourth minute. Birkirkara threatened again just moments later with a shot by Ryan Camenzuli from distance, which was saved by Glenn Zammit. The same player had another shot parried by the Sliema goalkeeper five minutes later.
Leading by one, Birkirkara did well to move the ball around and keep possession, as the hard work of Fenech and Scicluna in midfield, was giving the Stripes an edge over the Wanderers, who looked short of ideas and lacking inspiration.
The end of the first half saw the Stripes heading to their dressing room leading thanks to Ellinton Morais' strike mid-way through the first half.
The Second Half
There was a fast transition by the Stripes five minutes into the second half. Scicluna played-in Camenzuli, who quickly unzipped the defence with a first-time pass in the direction of Shodiya, but goalkeeper Zammit anticipated and stopped the action.
Sliema, down by one, came out with a different approach as the opening stages of the second half were shaded by with the Blues enjoying the lions' share of possession. Yet, they seemed to be dying for inspiration, in the final third and they failed to threaten the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Justin Haber.
The slow start by his team, prompted the Birkirkara Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit to affect the first substitution, on the twentieth minute of the second half. Shola Shodiya was withdrawn for Edmond Agius, to inject the midfield with a fresh pair of legs.
Birkirkara had a fine scoring opportunity on the sixty-ninth minute, with an action featuring the Brazilian duo of Ledesma and Morais. The latter won possession from a defensive blunder, and then served Ledesma whose shot ended wide.
Sliema might have been increasing pressure, but the lack of ideas in the forward line denied them any scoring opportunities as the likes of Mifsud, Pisanu and Gnanouyou failed to make any impact.
Mr. Paul Zammit made the second substitution on the seventy-sixth minute when Rafael Ledesma was replaced by Vyacheslav Shevchenko. Ledesma was cautioned by the referee for wasting time to leave the pitch, and the Brazilian seemed to applaud sarcastically the referee's decision, and he was sent off from the bench for double booking.
For Birkirkara's last change five minutes from time, Leighton Grech was included off the Brazilian striker, Ellinton Morais.
Birkirkara went close to double their lead two minutes from time. Grech took possession from a short corner, served Herrera who had his first attempt blocked by the Sliema defender but from the rebound, the same player had his shot scratching past the far post.
Alan Mario Sant's full time whistle found Birkirkara returning to winning ways while keeping the pace with leaders Hibernians FC before completing their first-round commitments next week when the Stripes take on Floriana FC.
The hard working and tireless midfielder, Ryan Scicluna, was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Matheus Bissi, Edward Herrera, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna, Paul Fenech, Shola Shodiya (65' Edmond Agius), Rafael Ledesma (76' Vyacheslav Shevchenko), Ellinton Morais (84' Leighton Grech).
SLIEMA WANDERERS: Glenn Zammit, Luca Martinelli, Andrea Scozzese, Kassa Guy Gnabouyou (78' Trevor Cilia), John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Michael Mifsud, Andrea Pisanu, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Marko Potezica (68' Filippo Talato), Fabio Mangiacasale.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista.
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Rafael Ledesma (Birkirkara) Andrea Pisanu, Trevor Cilia (Sliema Wanderers).
Red Cards: 77' Rafael Ledesma (Birkirkara).
Scorers: 22' Ellinton Morais (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).
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