Improved second half display lifts Stripes
by Ayrton Galea - 18th October 2015
Birkirkara FC registered their third consecutive victory and kept the pace with the top three in the BOV Premier League, when thanks to an improved performance in the second half, they came from behind to defeat Sliema Wanderers FC with a 3-1 score.
The Stripes were in need of a win after Balzan and Hibernians have both picked-up victories and they relied on a strong reaction in the second-half following a disappointing first-half where they were unable to convert their number of scoring opportunities into goals, with Sliema surging ahead with their first shot on target thanks to a fine strike by Alex Muscat.
However, Mr. Giovanni Tedesco's half-time team-talk seemed to inspire his players as they turned the match around in the opening nine minutes thanks to a penalty converted by Miccoli and a goal by Morais before substitute Camenzuli sealed the issue with the third goal sixteen minutes from time.
Mr. Tedesco made four changes from the last outing against St. Andrew's FC as Mauricio Mazzetti regained his place in the back four following a two-match ban by replacing Marcelina Emerson while Juan Quero was given the nod for his first at the expenses of Ryan Scicluna. In another two changes, Zerafa replaced Camemzuli while Rowen Muscat started instead Gareth Sciberras.
Tedesco fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. Haber defended the posts while Mazzetti and Muscat formed with the central-backs with Attard and Zerafa patrolling the side-backs. Rowen Muscat and Fenech started as holding midfielders with Quero and Morais on the wings. Miccoli supported Plut in attack.
The First Half
The Stripes had an early shout for a penalty after four minutes. Juan Quero picked-up Vito Plut inside the box but the Slovenian striker seemed to be pulled inside the box but Referee Alan Mario Sant waved play on.
Birkirkara threatened for the opener on the seventh minute. Zerafa surged down the left flank before serving Miccoli who had a fierce strike from the box ending just over the bar. A minute later, Plut headed over following a cross by Miccoli.
The Stripes continued to show the better ideas. On the fourteenth minute, Quero's cross found Mazzetti who had his diagonal cross-shot almost surprising goalkeeper Elezaj and from the rebound, Morais headed wide.
However, against the run of the play, Sliema surged ahead on the nineteenth minute. Muir, picking a cross from the left, served Alex Muscat outside the box and the Sliema's captain first-time shot hit hard past Haber.
The Stripes were stunned but they re-grouped and began their search for the equaliser. On the twenty-fourth minute, Mazzetti headed wide a cross by Miccoli while minute later, Fenech had an in-swinging strike ending wide by inches.
Birkirkara wasted a golden opportunity on the twenty-seventh minute. Plut's second post cross left not cleared and Fenech headed wide with just yards out. On the other side of the field, Ledesma put Friggier through but the youngster's shot was blocked by Haber.
Miccoli had a free-kick saved by goalkeeper Elezaj ten minutes from half-time while three minutes later, Fenech had a shot ending over.
The Stripes should have equalised before the half-time whistle. Miccoli's free-kick saw Zach Muscat's header blocked by goalkeeper Elezaj and from the rebound, Morais hit high from an ideal position.
The Second Half
Birkirkara's failed to convert their chances in the first half but made sure of converting their first scoring opportunity five minutes inside the second-half when they levelled matters. Ellinton Morais was fouled inside the box by Marko Potezica with referee Alan Mario Sant ordering the penalty kick. From the eleven-metre spot, Miccoli converted and made the score level.
From chasing to game to leading it in the space of the opening nine minutes as just four minutes after bringing the score level, the Stripes surged ahead. Clifford Gatt Baldaccinho's erratic pass was picked-up by Plut who served Morais and slotted home from close-range.
In Birkirkara's first substitution on the sixty-second minute, Juan Quero was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli.
Camenzuli's inclusion gave fresh ideas up-front and following a shot ending over, the youngster scored the third goal to seal the issue sixteen minutes from time. Miccoli raced forward and supplied Ryan Camenzuli with an excellent through-ball with the latter rounding the defender and hit past Elezaj.
This was Miccoli's last touch as straight after he was substituted by Marcelina Emerson in Birkirkara's second substitution. The prolific striker who scored the first goal and set-up the third received a deserved standing ovation. Five minutes later, tireless midfielder Rowen Muscat was replaced by Gareth Sciberras.
Birkirkara could have made them four five minutes from time when Camenzuli's low cross saw Zach Muscat hitting over from over the box. Moments later, Camenzuli delivered a perfect cross with Morais' header ending inches.
Defender Zach Muscat was named the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Cain Attard, Zach Muscat, Mauricio Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat (80' Gareth Sciberras), Juan Quero (62' Ryan Camenzuli), Fabrizio Miccoli (75' Emerson Marcelina), Ellinton Morais, Vito Plut.
SLIEMA WANDERERS: Entonjo Elezaj, Alex Muscat (82′ Ryan Dalli), John Mintoff (64′ Michael Mifsud), Mark Scerri, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Marko Potezica (59′ Peter Xuereb), Aidan Jake Friggieri, Rafael Ledesma, Gary Muir, Stefano Bianciardi, Luke Dimech.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Luke Portelli.
Fourth Official: Mario Apap.
Yellow Cards: 40' Fabrizio Miccoli (Birkirkara), 34' Marko Potezica, 44' John Mintoff, 78' Mark Scerri, 83' Peter Xuereb (Sliema Wanderers)
Scorers: 19' Alex Muscat (Sliema Wanderers), 50' Fabrizio Miccoli, 54' Ellinton Morais, 74' Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara)
BOV Player of the Match: Zach Muscat (Birkirkara).
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