dec 13 2006 18:55

BIRZEBBUGIA TIGERS vs MARSA TRINITY 2 - 1

Birzebbugia Tigers recovered well from an early shock and beat strugglers Marsa Trinity 2-1. With the two other results in yesterday's matches coming in their favour, the Tigers have gained ground and two valuable points and are now lying in second position, three points adrift of leaders Cospicua St Thomas.

The game could not have had a worse start for the Tigers as after 50 seconds a defensive mishap permitted Marsa striker Angelo Portelli to beat Celeste from just inside the penalty area. The Tigers tried to regain their composure but they were finding it hard to break Marsa's defence and it was only through long range efforts by Camilleri, Barbara and Fenech that they threatened to score. Midway through the first period Celeste saw Baldacchino blocking his diagonal shot. Right before the break, Birzebbugia Tigers drew level when from a M.Scicluna long throw-in from the right flank, Jeffrey Fenech with a powerful header netted to tie the score to 1-1.

Noel Tabone was brought in during the interval instead of Farrugia to bolster the Tigers' midfield and this tactical change allowed the men in orange to be more adventurous in attack. R.Bugeja tried his luck with a left-footed effort that went wide and after nine minutes the Tigers surged ahead. Tabone was served with a cross from the left and the substitute found with a precise header Ronnie Celeste who unmarked at the far post buried the ball at the back of the net. Soon afterwards Bugeja lobbed the ball over the onrushing Baldacchino and Celeste deviated home but the goal was disallowed for an evident offside position. On the other end P.Celeste saved well a shot by Lagana and a few moments later, Inguanez's fierce shot from inside the area stamped against the crossbar before being cleared away by Barbara. Noel Tabone was unlucky not to have scored as his volley was saved in a corner by Baldacchino and right at the end, the same goalkeeper denied Celeste the joy of another goal with another fine save.

Line-up: 88 - Paul Celeste; 2 - Matthew Scicluna, 4 - Chris Bernard Farrugia (8- Noel Tabone), 5 - Mark Migneco, 3 - John Paul Barbara; 15- Charlton Camilleri (16 - Matthew Mangion), 6 - Stefan Schwienbacher, 7 - Jeffrey Fenech, 10 - Vince Camilleri; 9 - Robert Bugeja, 11 - Ronnie Celeste (capt)

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