BOV Premier League | Birkirkara 2 – St. Andrews 2

Birkirkara went ahead on the 7th minute. Vito Plut went on the right flank and sent a low cross inside the penalty area. Miguel Alba hit a shot that was handled by Michael Johnson of St. Andrews. The referee first signalled play on, but changed his decision and awarded a penalty after receiving advice from the assistant referee. From the elven metres mark, Alba made no mistake and converted.

The stripes were dangerous again on the 14th minute. Alba went on a good run and delivered the ball towards Vito Plut whose close range effort was deviated for a corner.

St. Andrews hit back and equalised on the 18th minute. Ivan Paz sent a cross towards the unmarked Kyrian Nwoko who headed past Henry Bonello.

Birkirkara went ahead once more on the 27th minute. From a corner, Srdan Dimitrov sent a cross inside the penalty area and Gonzalo Malan headed inside the net from close range.

On the 35th minute, Malan forced a good save from Jake Galea. The Uruguayan went on the right side of the penalty area and hit a shot aimed at the lower corner which was blocked by the young goalkeeper.

Ten minutes later, Alba sent a long ball towards Dimitrov whose header went off target.

St. Andrews equalised five minutes into the second half. Ziga Kastrevec delivered the ball towards Nwoko and the latter hit a powerful drive from close range that gave Bonello no chance.

Nikola Jaros’s side tried to put pressure in their attempts to score again and had a promising chance on the 61st minute. Plut served Ryan Scicluna on the edge of the penalty area and the latter finished wide.

On the 69th minute, both teams had a player sent off. Ryan Scicluna fouled Pena Beltre on the right flank and the St. Andrews player retaliated. The referee showed Scicluna his second yellow card. In addition, he also showed Pena Beltre a straight red card.

In the additional time given by the referee, Ivan Paz went on a good run before firing a low shot that forced a good save from bonello who went on his right side and parried the ball.

Birkirkara starting line-up: Henry Bonello, Gareth Sciberras, Srdan Dimitrov, Vito Plut, Nikola Vukanac, Miguel Angel Alba, Ryan Scicluna, Cain Attard, Predrag Jovic, Gonzalo Malan, Gary Muir

St. Andrews starting line-up: Jake Galea, Enmy Pena Beltre, Michael Johnson, Bong Won Che, Karlo Kesinovic, Aidan Friggieri, Nenad Belacevic, Joseph Farrugia, Ziga Kastrevec, Ivan Paz, Kyrian Nwoko

Referee: Eman Grech

Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, William Debattista

Fourth Official: Mario Apap