BOV Premier League | Birkirkara 2 – Pembroke Athleta 0

Birkirkara took the initiative in the early stages of the match and went ahead after seven minutes. Gareth Sciberras sent a cross inside the penalty area towards the unmarked Srdan Dimitrov who headed past Matthew Calleja Cremona.

Pembroke responded three minutes later when Shola Sodija fired a shot from distance that went high.

The stripes increased the pressure and doubled the score  on the 18th minute. Dimitrov sent Edward Herrera through on goal and the latter hit a low shot that ended up inside the net.

On the 33rd minute, Herrera fired another shot on goal, but this time Calleja Cremona managed to neutralise his effort.

Calleja Cremona was on the alert once more on the 58th minute as he managed to save Gonzalo Maran’s shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Birkirkara had a chance to increase the margin of the score on the 63rd minute. Herrera sent a cross inside the penalty area towards Dimitrov who fired high from close range.

A minute later, Pembroke lost a golden opportunity to get back into the game. Steven Bonnici lost possession and Sodija went through on goal before finishing wide.

The same happened for Birkirkara on the 68th minute. Herrera delivered the ball towards Maran who in front of goal fired wide.

On the 74th minute, Bonello was on the alert to deny Pembroke. Sodija found Darren Falzon on the right side and the latter saw his effort being saved by the debutant goalkeeper.

A minute later, it was Calleja Cremona who produced a fine save. Vito Plut went on a fast counter attack before finding Matteo Desira Buttigieg in an ideal position, but the Pembroke goalkeeper rushed out of his position and blocked his effort.

Two minutes into the additional time given by the referee, Desira Buttigieg found Dimitrov who in front of Calleja Cremona hit a strong shot that went high.

Birkirkara starting line-up: Henry Bonello, Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Vito Plut, Cain Attard, Miroslav Andelkovic, Srdan Dimitrov, Predrag Jovic, Gonzalo Maran.

Pembroke Starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Miguel Attard, Owen Bugeja, Paltemio Barbetti, Zoran Levnaic, Siraj Arab Eddin, Sunday Eboh, Adrian Borg, Borche Manevski, Arber Dhrami, Shola Sodija.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Assistant referees: William Debattista, Chris Azzopardi

Fourth official: Malcolm Spiteri

BOV player of the match: Srdan Dimitrov (Birkirkara)