Second win in a row for Birkirkara
Sliema Wanderers were back to winning ways after overcoming the challenge of neighbouring rivals Gżira United 2-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
In the other early kick-off from the YoHealth Malta Premier on Wednesday, Birkirkara needed an early goal from Franklin Sasere to overcome Naxxar Lions 1-0 at the National Stadium.
It was a much-needed win for Paul Zammit’s troops who were coming from two successive matches which saw them drop precious points following draws to a ten-man Birkirkara side and Valletta.
Goals from Roko Prsa and Fernandinho did the trick for the Blues but they surely must be grateful to goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi as the towering custodian effected two crucial saves which denied Gżira United a route back into the match.
On the other hand, this defeat was another hammer blow for coach Clive Mizzi and his players as they will surely feel that they had the opportunities to take something from this match but their profligacy in front of goal came back to haunt them as they remain still in search of their first win of the season.
Sliema should have taken the lead after eight minutes when Roko Prsa sent a low cross into the path of the unmarked Steve Pisani, but the Malta midfielder fired over.
But the Blues’ persistence paid off on 18 minutes when Thiago Espindola’s cross was met by Roko Prsa, and the Croatian headed the ball past Colombo.
Sliema almost doubled their lead on 22 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick and Pisani’s inswinger was pushed away by Colombo.
Things continued to worsen for Gżira United as on 27 minutes they lost Maxuell Maia as he pulled up injured and was replaced by Toni Silva.
The Gżira substitute had a golden opportunity to pull his team level five minutes from the break.
Murillo failed to intercept a throughball towards Silva but the Gżira forward was denied by the onrushing Rashed Al Tumi.
Sliema failed to heed their warning and three minutes into the second half they had to be grateful to Al Tumi again.
The towering goalkeeper produced a fine one-handed save to keep out Andre Pena da Costa’s thumping header that looked destined to hit the back of the net.
At the other end, Sulehmana Bah had the chance to kill off Gżira’s hopes when he was put through on goal but was blocked by the onrushing Colombo.
Gżira had another straightforward opportunity to level matters on 70 minutes when in a swift raid, Toni Silva’s low cross found Andre unmarked inside the small box, but he incredibly fired wide in front of a gaping goal.
The Maroons paid dearly for such profligacy in front of goal as on 77 minutes, substitute Fernandinho was found inside the area by Diarra and the Brazilian hammered the ball past Colombo.
At the National Stadium, Franklin Sasere was again Birkirkara’s hero as the Nigerian forward delivered the all-important goal that enabled his team to see off Naxxar Lions.
Sasere’s performance on Wednesday was confirmation of his current rich vein of form as he has now grabbed three goals in the last two matches following his brace in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Mosta.
Coach Gianluca Festa will be delighted with the consistency being shown by his players who not only managed a clean sheet but more importantly, bagged a second successive win that lifted them to the top half of the standings, on nine points.
