Birkirkara lose precious points against Sliema

Sliema Wanderers 0 Birkirkara 0 Birkirkara lost pecious points as they could only manage a draw against Sliema this afternoon. The well-oiled Sliema defence relied on their fighting qualities and tactical cohesion to stem their opponents’ flair as the game ended goalless. Birkirkara threatened to go ahead first after eight minutes when the ball reached Shodiya Haruna Shola in the six-yard box, but Clifford Gatt Baldacchino made a providential tackle to dispossess the Nigerian striker. The ball was moved quickly to Barbetti and on to Zammit. Matias Muchardi timed his run to pull Haber off the line but Alejandro Mendoza reading Argentine midfielder’s intentions, came to his goalkeeper’s rescue. In an end-to-end encounter, few moments later, Martinelli was in the right place to clear Ryan Camenzuli’s inswinger off the line. But Birkirkara’s superior punch upfront was beyond question. In fact, Wanderers’ inability to penetrate their opponents’ defence was summoned up by a penalty shout turned down after 16 minutes when Bajada appeared to fall under the challenge of Mendoza. The Stripes’ aggressive start had Sliema skipper Alex Muscat hookingHaruna’s headed effort off the line again on...