360Sports Malta Premier: Top 6
Birkirkara…………1
Marsaxlokk………1
Tony Bezzina Stadium
Marsaxlokk battled back to snatch a 1-1 draw against Birkirkara, keeping their title ambitions in the 360Sports Malta Premier League alive.
Birkirkara had taken the lead midway through the first half through a moment of brilliance by Kemar Reid. The Jamaican winger collected the ball in midfield, beat two defenders on a mazy run, and fired an angled shot past Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona.
Birkirkara made four changes from their previous victory over Mosta, introducing Luis Cordova, Leandro Lacunza, Tomislav Papazov, and Alexander Satariano into the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Marsaxlokk fielded an unchanged side, despite coach Enzo Potenza serving a touchline ban.
Marsaxlokk threatened early through Yuri Messias and Leandro Aguirre, but it was Birkirkara who struck first thanks to Reid’s solo effort.
Marsaxlokk grew into the match and pushed hard after the break. They were finally rewarded on 74 minutes when Birkirkara’s Tomislav Papazov was penalized for a handball inside the box. Yuri Messias coolly converted the resulting penalty to bring Marsaxlokk level.
Things worsened for Birkirkara just minutes later when Papazov was sent off for violent conduct, reducing his team to ten men for the remainder of the game.
Marsaxlokk pressed for a late winner, with Ulises Arias and Duane Bonnici both coming close, but Gianluca Volpe stood firm to deny them.
The result leaves both teams still in the hunt for the top prize, but with their fate hanging in the balance heading into the final round of fixtures.
