BIRKIRKARA 5
Maia 8, 73, 90
Morello 56
Lacunza 69
BALZAN 2
Akpan 22, 45 pen
BIRKIRKARA
G. Volpe, M. Morello, A. Sandona, S. Dimech (89 S. Magri), P. Mbong (46 G. Yipke), A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, A. Coppola, N. Cross (46 N. Micallef), M. Maia (90 K. Fenech), A. Da Paixao (82 H. Correia).
BALZAN
D. Ciappara, S. Arab, T. Caruana, N. Pulis, J. Busuttil, O. Awosanya, H. Stanic, V. Blasco (62 E. Kamsoba), T. Malepe, U. Akpan (84 B. Hili), R. Floro.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Yellow cards: Satariano, Caruana, Coppola, Akpan, Dimech, Malepe.
Birkirkara kicked off their Closing Round commitments with a 5-2 win over Balzan.
An early lead may have given the impression that Birkirkara would be cruising towards a comfortable win but Balzan showed great determination to turn the match in their favour by the end of the first half.
However, Stefano De Angelis’ side reacted well during the second half scoring four goals to take home the three points.
The Stripes had Alex Da Paixao making his debut following his move from Gżira United while Alessandro Coppola was back after serving a one-match ban. Kurt Zammit and Gnamien Gislain Yikpe started on the bench.
For Balzan, Nicholas Pulis was back in the starting line-up as he was preferred to Marcel Lima.
The Stripes took just eight minutes to open the score. Alex Da Paixao delivered a corner from the right and Maxuell Maia rose high to head the ball home past goalkeeper Dylan Ciappara.
Balzan, however, levelled matters on 22 minutes.
Oluwatobiloba Awosanya sent Udoyen Akpan through and the latter advanced into the area, keeping his cool to slot the ball past goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe.
Five minutes later, Balzan threatened once again with Tercious Malepe’s header blocked by a defender and at the other end, Maia headed wide off a cross by Morello from the left on 31 minutes.
Three minutes later, Birkirkara went close once again with a Da Paixao freekick from the left which was blocked on the goal line.
Three minutes in added time, Balzan took the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Coppola pushed Udoyen Akpan down inside the area.
From the spot, the England-born forward made no mistake.
Birkirkara restored equilibrium on 56 minutes. Leandro Lacunza concluded a good move on the right flank with a well-taken cross and Manuel Morello tapped the ball home from close range.
One minute later, the Stripes almost regained the lead with Maia’s header, deflected by a defender, hitting the upright off an inviting cross by Da Paixao from the left.
Dylan Ciappara performed a good save on an Da Paixao’s powerful drive on 65 minutes and two minutes later, Coppola headed high off a freekick from the right by Da Paixao.
On 68 minutes A rising shot by Maxuell Maia ended just over the bar.
This was the prelude for the goal as one minute later, Birkirkara made it 3-2. Substitute Gnamien Yipke delivered a cross from the left and Lacunza controlled before hitting home past the Balzan goalkeeper.
Four minutes later, Birkirkara extended the lead.
Yipke provided the assist from the left and Maia hit home from close range.
Samir Arab came to Balzan’s rescue on 78 minutes blocking a goal-bound effort by Da Paixao off a cross by Morello from the left.
Two minutes in added time, Birkirkara scored a fifth goal when they were awarded a penalty after Yipke was brought down inside the area and from the spot, Maia converted.
