Match Report: Birkirkara FC 3-0 Mosta FC
by Ayrton Galea - 14th January 2018
Birkirkara FC extended their impressive form and they produced another brilliant performance to register their fifth consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League, when Srdjan Dimitrov, Bruno Andrade and Jake Grech scored a goal each to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mosta FC.
A first-half goal by Srdjan Dimitrov and two goals in quick succession in the second half by Bruno Andrade and Jake Grech secured the fifth consecutive victory for the Stripes as they continued to extend their late impressive form.
The Stripes moved now just one point behind fourth-placed Floriana, although they are still sharing the fifth place with Hibernians. The Stripes moved three points above Hamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers respectively.
Under-19's Team Player Neil Micallef was given the nod for his BOV Premier League debut as he replaced the suspended Ryan Scicluna, while Nikola Vukanac replaced Lucas Maia as the latter suffered a shoulder injury in the last match.
Coach Paul Zammit was forced to make another two changes as Bruno Andrade replaced Luke Montebello while Kurt Zammit recovered on time to Ryan Camenzuli. Cain Attard was only declared fit to start on the substitutes' bench.
The First Half
Mosta had their first scoring chance after three minutes when Leonardo Ferreira's shot was turned into a corner by Naumovski, while three minutes later Dimitrov had his curling shot from outside the box ending just over the bar.
Youngster Neil Micallef had an unfortunate debut as he was forced to leave the pitch after ten minutes. The young midfielder sustained an injury and was unable to continue playing, with Gianluca Zammit replacing him as the first substitute of the match.
The Stripes were having large swatches of possession inside the opening twenty-five minutes, but they were being unable to penetrate in the third end as they failed to threaten the Mosta goalkeeper, Andres Vella.
Birkirkara went close to surge ahead on the half-hour mark. A short clearance by the Mosta defender was picked up by Dimitrov who struck a wonderful volley that forced goalkeeper Vella to dive full stretch and turn his effort into a corner kick.
However, the Serbian playmaker wasn't denied nine minutes later. Jake Grech sent an accurate cross inside the box and Dimitrov was in the ideal position to head the ball home from close-range. This was his first goal since his return with our Club.
Mosta made a desperate quick reaction just two minutes later. A powerful direct free-kick by Thomas Veronese found goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski alert as the towering goalkeeper pulled a fine save to clear the danger.
The Second Half
The Stripes went out the better side in the second half. A free-kick by Bruno Andrade three minutes inside the second half was saved by Vella, while Vella was involved into action moments later when he blocked a low shot by Jake Grech.
The superior start in the second half paid off on the fifty-fifth minutes as the Stripes deservingly doubled their lead. Bruno Andrade made a dazzling run that saw him cutting from the left to the middle, before hitting a powerful low shot past the Mosta goalkeeper.
Two became three on the hour mark as the Stripes scored another goal in quick succession. In well-built action combined of accurate passes, the ball reached Dimitrov who delivered an inch-perfect low cross towards Jake Grech, who slotted home from close range.
Under-19's Team player Ayrton Attard was included fifteen minutes from time as Birkirkara's second substitute when he replaced Bruno Andrade. The Brazilian rapid-winger enjoyed a very satisfactory performance and received a deserved standing ovation by the Birkirkara supporters.
Gianluca Zammit tried his luck from distance but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Vella. On the other side of the pitch, Mosta had the ball at the back of the net, but the goal was ruled-out for an offside position.
Coach Paul Zammit handed the debut to the Under-19's Team Captain Zack Cassar as the latter replaced Srdjan Dimitrov three minutes from time in Birkirkara's third and final substitution.
Birkirkara FC midfielder and scorer of the second goal, Jake Grech was voted the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Edward Herrera, Fernando Barbosa, Nikola Vukanac, Kurt Zammit, Neil Micallef (10' Gianluca Zammit), Mislav Andelkovic, Jake Grech, Carlos Alberto, Bruno Andrade (75' Ayrton Attard), Srdjan Dimitrov (87' Zack Cassar).
MOSTA: Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira, Dexter Xuereb (73' Kyle Frendo), Thomas Veronese, Kurt Magro, Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farrugia, Rodriguez Ekani Jonas (73' Zac Brincat), David Nworah, Ivan Maric (60' Jan Tanti), Alex Wendels Dos Santos.
Referee: Matthew Degabriele.
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Dusan Petrovic.
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech.
Yellow Cards: 16' Kurt Zammit, 25' Srdjan Dimitrov, 41' Mislav Andelkovic, 61' Edward Herrera (Birkirkara), 23' Dexter Xuereb, 62' Thomas Veronese (Mosta).
Scorers: 39' Srdjan Dimitrov, 55' Bruno Andrade, 60' Jake Grech (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Jake Grech (Birkirkara).
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