BOV Premier League | Birkirkara 2 – Tarxien Rainbows 0

Both sides came into this match looking to bounce back from a defeat in their previous matches. In a surprising result, Birkirkara were stunned by St Andrews as they fell to a 2-0 defeat. On the other hand, Tarxien lost 4-2 against neighbours Hibernians.

Prior to the match, only three points separated the two sides. Birkirkara were tenth in the table with nine points, while Tarxien were eleventh on six points.

Birkirkara created the first opportunity of the match on the 15th minute. Debutant Petar Orlandic ran inside the penalty area down the right flank before hitting a low shot that was neutralised by Andrea Cassar.

The Stripes threatened Tarxien again on the half hour mark. Clarlos Albero Rodriguez saw his shot from inside the penalty area being saved by Cassar.

Birkirkara forged ahead from the resulting corner. Jake Grech’s delivery was met by Eduardo Ferreira Dos Santos and the latter served Orlandic who headed the ball inside the net.

On the 38th minute, Paul Fenech of Birkirkara tried his kuck from distance, but his effort sailed wide.

Two minutes from half-time, Jake Grech’s shot from a free-kick was saved by Cassar.

Birkirkara nearly scored again in the additional time given by the referee prior to half-time. Cain Attard delivered a cross in the direction Orlandic whose effort was pushed away by Cassar.

Paul Zammit’s side kept on insisting and went close again on the 63rd minute. Grech nearly scored directly from a corner as his delivery almost stunned Cassar.

However, Birkirkara doubled their advantage from the resulting corner. Following another delivery by Grech, Tarxien's goalkeeper Cassar committed an own goal as he put the ball inside his own net.

This goal had an impact on Tarxien’s players as Birkirkara kept going. On the 68th minute, Marcelo De Siqueira Franca fired a shot from outside the penalty area that was neutralised by Cassar.

Kristijan Naumovski denied Tarxien from pulling one back on the 76th minutes. Darren Falzon hit a powerful drive that forced a good save from Birkirkara’s custodian.

Birkirkara replied through De Siqueira. The Brazilian tried his luck from distance, but his effort failed to hit the target.

On the other end, Naumovski was on the alert again as he blocked Falzon’s shot from the left.

Birkirkara remained in control during the remaining minutes as they took home the three points.

Birkirkara starting line-up: Kristijan Naumovski, Danilo Augusto Chapoval, Mislav Andelkovic, Paul Fenech, Petar Orlandic, Jake Grech, Kurt Zammit, Eduardo Ferreira Dos Santos, Cain Attard, Marcelo Franca De Siqueira, Carlos Alberto Rodriguez

Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Alexander Jens Wemmer, Matthew Spiteri, Gabriel Aquilina, Darren Falzon, Andre` Charles Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson De Barros, Miguel Ciantar, Ricardo Silva Faria, Alexander Nilsson

Referee: Jamie Robinson (Northern Ireland)

Assistant Referees: Jamie Carnduff, Bogdan Sfirloaga

Fourth Official: Mark Dillon

BOV Player of the Match: Mislav Andelkovic (Birkirkara)