BOV Premier League | Birkirkara 2 – Gżira United 1

The Maroons created the first chance on goal after ten minutes. From a corner, debutant Andrew Cohen sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Antonio Machedo Neto who headed over.

Birkirkara replied on the 15th minute. Miguel Angel Alba hit a low shot that ended up slightly wide of the post.

Despite losing this opportunity, Birkirkara scored a minute later. Alba went on the left side and delivered a cross towards Edward Herrera whose effort ended up inside the net past Jurgen Borg.

The stripes increased the margin of the score four minutes later. Herrera’s cross was partially cleared by Gżira’s defence. Possession fell for Mislav Andelkovic who fired a low shot past Borg.

The Maroons replied on the 24th minute. From a free kick, Cohen forced a good save from Henry Bonello.

Birkirkara nearly scored again on the 33rd minute. Adelkovic fired a strong shot that hit the post.

Three minutes later, Ian Azzopardi served Cohen and the latter saw his effort going wide.

The Maroons tried to put pressure in the second half and had a good opportunity on the 59th minute. Moises Avila Perez sent a cross in the direction of Louis Rene Zome, but the Cameroonian footballer concluded off target.

Darren Abdilla’s side suffered a setback on the 61st minute when Souleymane Diamoutene was given his marching orders following a foul on Gonzalo Malan.

Ten minutes later, Gżira’s players protested for a red card against Bonello following a foul on Juan Carlos Corbolan, but the referee opted for a yellow card.

However, Gżira managed to reduce the margin of the score seven minutes from time. Srdan Dimitrov handled the ball inside the penalty area and the referee signalled a penalty. From the eleven metres mark, Cohen made no mistake and scored his first goal wearing Gżira’s shirt.

Birkirkara starting line-up:  Henry Bonello, Edward Herrera, Christian Bubalovic, Gareth Sciberras, Mislav Andelkovic, Srdan Dimitrov, Vito Plut, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Miguel Angel Alba, Cain Attard.

Gżira United starting line-up: Jurgen Borg, Andrè White, Ian Azzopardi, Souleymane Diamoutene, Andrew Cohen, Juan Carlos Corbolan, Moises Avila Perez, Louis Rene Zome, Carlos Alejandro Reyna, Antonio de Queiroz Machedo Neto, Ige Abdullahi Adeshina.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
BOV Player of the Match: Mislav Andelkovic (Birkirkara)