Valletta pile more misery on Birkirkara

Valletta scored twice in the first half to beat Birkirkara 2-0, and hand the Stripes a fifth consecutive defeat in the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round.

With the final match-day scheduled for this weekend, the Citizens lie three points behind Ħamrun Spartans and four behind leaders Floriana.

For Birkirkara, this was yet another disappointing result as they suffered a fifth consecutive defeat to remain anchored at the bottom of the Top 6.

Valletta coach Thane Micallef opted for two changes from the team which defeated Marsaxlokk in their last league outing as Neil Micallef deputised for the suspended Sava Radic while Thaylor Aldama was preferred to Evandro Gomes.

Likewise, Birkirkara, had two changes from the team which lost heavily to Hamrun Spartans as Jan Busuttil and Kemar Reid replaced Kaiden Fenech and Neil Micallef but mid-way through the first half, they lost goalkeeper Miguel Angel Martinez injured and had to be replaced by Matthew Grech.

Valletta managed to take the lead on 14 minutes.

Yuri Messias was brought down inside the area but the incident went unnoticed by the referee but following FVS review, referee Philip Farrugia ordered a penalty but Messias’ effort from the penalty spot was partially saved by referee Miguel Angel Martinez with Andrea Zammit placing the ball at the back of the net.

However, following FVS review, the referee ordered a re-take and this time, Messias made no mistake.

The Stripes replied with a Shaun Dimech free kick from the left on 31 minutes which was partially saved by Adilson Maringa, the ball bounced onto Macula but was then cleared into safety by a defender.

Three minutes later, in a swift counter break, Manuel Morello advanced on the right but slipped as he was about to conclude from in front of the goalkeeper.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Messias, served by Shaft Brewer from the left, rounded a defender before having a shot deflected into a corner.

Brandon Paiber delivered the corner from the left and Yannick Yankam slotted the ball past goalkeeper Matthew Grech.

Five minutes in added time, Birkirkara went close to reducing the gap when off an Geoffrey Acheampong free kick, Donovan Makoma hit just wide.

Two minutes in the second half, Morello managed to venture into the area, testing Adilson Maringa with a shot which was partially saved with the ball being cleared into safety by a defender.

However, on 65 minutes, Birkirkara ended in ten men as Morello was sent off for a rough tackle on Steve Borg – a decision taken after FVS review as the referee had initially just cautioned the Birkirkara defender.

Ten minutes later, Acheampong tried his luck with a cross shot from the left but the Valletta goalkeeper saved without particular difficulty.

But on 79 minutes, Matthew Grech saved in two attempts a close-range effort by Yankam.