Birkirkara beat Sta Coloma in high scoring encounter

Birkirkara FC 4 FC Sta Coloma 3 (aggregate 7-3)

After their forfeit 3-0 victory against Sta Coloma, Birkirkara were prime favourites to make it through to the second qualifying round of the Champions League only needing to sit out the game on a hot July evening.

The Stripes missed a glorious chance to put the tie to bed when Decesare found Bajada on the left with the latter whipping in a fine cross to Galea who all alone in the box saw his conclusion saved by Fernandez. On 8 minutes, Birkirkara again had a fine chance to open the scoring but Fernandez tipped over Bajada’s shot.

But from the resulting corner, the Stripes deservedly took the lead. A Shaun Bajada cross somehow missed Fernandez with Galea on hand to tap in from a yard and practically put the game beyond Coloma’s reach. Birkirkara continued pressing and could have doubled on 12 minutes when Decesare latched onto a Michael Galea cross which was somehow blocked by the Andorran defence.

But against the run of play on 21 minutes, FC Santa Coloma equalized when a dreadful defensive error by Nisevic ended up at the feet of Urbani who made no mistake slotting into the net. That was only a temporary blip however when on 31 minutes, Bajada found Galea whose exquisite lob sailed into the net to the delight of the Birkirkara contingent.

And the Stripes put the game beyond doubt on 34 minutes when Paris found Cilia who smashed in from close range. Jimenez made it 3-2 with a deflected free kick but Cilia scored his second of the match in first half stoppage time slotting in from close range.

The second half was a much quieter affair and in fact the first move of the half came on 75 minutes when Cilia should have made it five but after rounding the keeper, his shot went over the bar. On 85 minutes, Sta Coloma made it 3-4 to gain a more respectable scoreline through Urbani.

Birkirkara FC: Lovison E, Vukanac N, Nisevic B, Bajada S (Tabone A 74’), Decesare A, Cilia T (Buhagiar A 81’), Fenech P, Zerafa J (Pulo K 67’), Muscat R, Paris T, Galea M

FC Sta. Coloma: Fernandez R, Gil Francesc X, Ayala M, Sonesee O (Sanchez G 77’), Garcia D (Bodjo Z E 54’), Urbanti NL, Jimenez M, Sanchez A, Urbani M S, Martin F S, Ribolleda D (Garcia J M 46’)

Goals: Galea M 9’, 31’, Urbani M 21’, 85’,  Cilia 34’, 45’, Jimenez 44’

Yellow cards: Garcia, Sanchez, Decesare, Vukanac, Urbani MS

Referee: Madden B (Scotland)