Birkirkara defeat Valletta as Sliema and Tarxien share the spoils

This victory puts Birkirkara two points ahead of Hibernians.

This defeat has put Valletta in a mini crisis as this was their second consecutive defeat.

Birkirkara managed to take the lead as early as the 12^th minute. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza served Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao who then went on to beat goalkeeper Manoel Bartolo with his shot.

On the 72^nd minute, Birkirkara made sure they collected all three points when Edward Herrera served Rowen Muscat to have the latter score from close range.

Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao was voted BOV Player of the Match.

VALLETTA Manuel Bartolo, Jonathan Caruana, Jason Lee Vandelannoite, Ryan Fenech (84′ Dyson Falzon), Joao Gabriel da Silva, Ian Azzopardi, Roderick Briffa, Luke Dimech, Denni Rocha dos Santos, William Barbosa (75' Demba Toure), Michael Mifsud (69' Daniel Bogdanovic).
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Edmond Agius, Joseph JoJo Ogunuppe, Llywelyn Cremona.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius

BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Nikola Vukanac, Alejando Mendoza Corujo, Rodrigo Pereira (26' Zach Muscat), Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (78' Ryan Scicluna), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (62' Harun Shola Shodiya), Joseph Zerafa.
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Camenzuli, Yosimar Hernandez, Joselito dos Reis.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino

Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Zerafa, Dimech, Jhonnattann
Scorers: 13' Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, 72' Rowen Muscat

In the other match, Sliema Wanderers and Tarxien Rainbows played to a goalless draw.

Sliema failed to take advantage of Tarxein being one man down for the last 15 minutes of the match when Manuel Caruana was sent off.

Stefano Bianciardi was voted BOV Player of the Match

SLIEMA WANDERERS Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Paltemio Barbetti, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Ian Zammit, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods (54' Luigi Ruggiero) , Shaun Bajada, Matias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: James Abela, Stanley Ohawuchi, Andrew Decesare, Alain Faccini, Josef Mifsud, Miguel Ciantar.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: JoJo Bajada

TARXIEN RAINBOWS Nicky Vella, Carlo Mamo, Manuel Caruana, Andrew Agius (66' Justin Grioli), Andre Reinaldo de Souza Esposito, Roderick Bajada (75' Marco Tulio Lopes Silva), Leandro da Silva Almeida (90' Mark Tanti), Ryan Sammut, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Orosco Anonam, Steve Bonnici.
Subs not used: David Cassar, David Fenech, Clive Fenech, Gianluca Calabretta.
Coach: Clive Mizzi
Asst. Coach: Steven Vella

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit