Watch: Ten-man Birkirkara fight back to take point against Wanderers

Tarxien bag their first league win of the campaign

Birkirkara survived the early dismissal of defender Kurt Zammit to come back from two goals down and secure a point against Sliema Wanderers.

It was a deserved point for the Stripes who showed great character in salvaging a match that looked lost and thus handed their new coach, Gianluca Festa, an impressive start to his tenure with the Valley club.

Sliema Wanderers looked to have their match against Birkirkara wrapped up inside the first 30 minutes when they raced into a two-goal lead, and the Stripes were reduced to ten men.

The Blues took the lead after 19 minutes when, from a corner action, Plut flicked the ball into the path of Sulahmana Bah, who headed the ball home with the aid of the upright.

The Stripes had little time to settle down before falling two goals adrift.

Plut surged inside the area and was upended by Kurt Zammit, with the referee pointing to the spot.

Henrique Murillo stepped up to take the penalty, and although his first effort was blocked by the diving Martinez, the Brazilian was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Things continued to deteriorate for Birkirkara as two minutes later they were reduced to ten men, when Zammit miscued his backpass towards his goalkeeper and in came Plut, who was pulled back by the Birkirkara defender.

Referee Daniel Portelli had no option but to dismiss the Stripes player who left his team with a player less for the rest of the match.

Despite being a man down, Birkirkara kept pushing forward, and their efforts were rewarded two minutes from the break when Lucas Macula showed great footwork to surge inside the area before pulling the ball back into the path of Kemar Reid to fire home.

That goal gave more belief to Birkirkara, and on 59 minutes Al Tumi had to dive full stretch to deny Lucas Macula after some fine build-up play by Jonathan Makoma.

Birkirkara’s efforts were rewarded six minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty when goalkeeper Al Tumi fouled Morello inside the area and from the spot drilled the ball past the Sliema goalkeeper.

Tarxien Rainbows secured their first league win of the season when they edged Naxxar Lions 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. The match turned out to be a hard-fought clash with Tarxien surging ahead after seven minutes through Ofufu Ibeh.

But Naxxar kept believing and managed to draw level through Vinicius Baiano on 22 minutes.

Naxxar grew in stature and turned the match in their favour on 59 minutes through Joao Moura.

Tarxien kept fighting and managed to restore parity through Kyle Gatt on 66 minutes.

That goal injected more belief in Jacques Scerri’s team, who went on to snatch the win through Nhayson on 76 minutes.