Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/433160
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2014 53 Sport PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN GATT FOOTBALL SPORTTODAY EDWARD FALZON Birkirkara ..................... 0 Balzan Youths ............... 0 BIRKIRKARA and Balzan was an- other disappointing encounter for those present in the stadium with the match hardly being entertain- ing, both sides lacking ideas and enthusiasm to play decent football. It was a dull encounter indeed with the Birkirkara faithful rightly feeling the most disappointed as it is clear that their side are still struggling to hit top gear this season. The result means the stripes dropped two more points and lost further ground in their pursuit of leaders Hibernians and Valletta respectively. In the only decent attempt at goal during the first half, a shot at goal from Paul Fenech forced Balzan keeper Sultana to turn the ball for a corner after a neat pass by Shola Shodiya. Birkirkara increased their efforts in the second half and in the 61st minute, Ryan Camenzuli hit the post with the ball falling to Costa Moirais. His attempt was saved by the Balzan keeper, with Sultana making yet another save in another attempt by Ryan Camenzuli. This certainly marked a fine perform- ance by the Balzan keeper. In the 87th minute, Birkirkara were reduced to ten men when Ryan Camenzuli was sent off after a dangerous tackle on Balzan for- ward Zarate. Steve Sultana was voted BOV player of the match Birkirkara: Haber, Vukanac, Costa, Dos Santos Gonzaga (Zam- mit 84'), Shola Shodiya, Mendoza Corujo, Sciberras, Muscat (Herrera 38'), Fenech (Agius 86'), Camenzuli, Scicluna Balzan: Sultana, Grioli, Bezzina, Valero, Zarate, Giobadia, Brincat, Mifsud Triganza (Micallef 53'), Guerrero, Sciberras (Grima 80'), Piccioni (Darmanin 90') Referee: Phillip Farrugia Birkirkara lose further ground in yet another poor performance Birkirkara's Sholiya Shola in aerial tussle for the ball in his team's 0-0 draw Naxxar Lions prevail in derby of the North; move to seventh EDWARD FALZON Naxxar Lions ............ 2 Mosta ..................... 1 NAXXAR Lions managed to win the derby of the North with a 2-1 victory over neighbouring rivals Mosta, moving up to seventh in the process. This was a positive result for the lions after losing to Birkirkara in their last out- ing. At the other end, Mosta who were lacking Tyrone Farrugia and Manolito Micallef at the back, remain in fourth on 20 points. Mosta failed to close the gap on third placed Birkirkara. Naxxar Lions created the first goal scoring opportunit y early on in the match when after a good pass by Cassar, Vella saw his at- tempt safely turned into a corner by Mosta keeper Borg. Three minutes later, the lions forged ahead through the dangerous Gilmar from a direct free kick. Mosta equalised three minutes into the second half thanks to another brilliant free kick by Ka- ljevic giving the Naxxar custodi- an no chance. Mosta went close to gaining the lead in the 51st minute but this time Azzopardi got to the ball before the Mosta attacker. In the 67th minute, Gueye went close for Naxxar but his attempt was confidently saved by Borg. In the 72nd minute, Naxxar scored what was to be the winning goal in a much awaited derby. From a corner taken by Gilmar, it was substitute Gueye who headed the ball into the net to give the lions an important morale boosting victory over their rivals. Gilmar Ribeiro was Voted BOV player of the match. Naxxar: Azzopardi, Scicluna (Debono 86'), Edet, Vella (Fenech 84'), Falzon (Bellia 87'), Da Silva Ribeiro, Cassar, Dof fo, Buhagiar, Mbachu (Gueye 62'), Edafe Mosta: Borg , Rodriguez, Ekani, Brincat, Borg , Falzon (Jovanovic 46'), Magro, Grech (Zammit 90'), Ribeiro dos Santos, Milovanovic, Pulo, Kaljevic Referee: Sandro Spiteri