The Malta Independent on Sunday
Paul Fenech returns to earn Birkirkara a Trophy final berth after seven years
Paul Fenech put aside all the recent controversy about his future with Birkikara to score the all important goal in extra time, after going in as a late substitute, that beat holders Valletta and sent the Stripes into the final of the FA Trophy after a seven-year absence.
Birkirkara, who had reached thus far with victories over Hamrun Spartans, Siggiewi and Pieta Hotspurs in previous rounds, recently made the headlines with uncertainty about the future of their valuable player Paul Fenech. Last week the club announced that he had signed a new contract to stay after all but Fenech, who missed his side’s last two league games, was only named among the substitutes yesterday.
Both teams tried to mend a disappointing season, by their standards, with success in the FA Trophy.
But it was a sterile encounter between the old rivals, with little quality on show, especially because both sides lacked penetration in attacking areas and some of the big name performers in both sides failed to enliven the occasion.
Valletta were handicapped in defence with the absences of Steve Borg and Jonathan Caruana through injury and Italian goalkeeper Pietro Marino through suspension. Roderick Briffa played as right back with Luke Dimech partnering Ryan Camilleri in central defence. The not fit Lateef Alliyu started on the bench with Abdelkarim Naftri their most advanced player.
Valletta were second best in midfield as Birkirkara made the more assertive start, without offering too much of a threat. Before the first minute, Valletta’s keeper Vella was tested with Herrera’s grounder from inside the area. A Ledesma scorcher went inches wide aftre eight minutes and past the quarter hour, Zach Muscat’s mellow cross from the right was headed tamely by Ledesma into the Valletta keeper’s hands.
Valletta took long to settle into the game. After 11 minutes, a hesitant keeper Haber blocked Bajada into a corner from near the byeline.
Midway through the half, Barry played one-two with Nafti inside the Birkirkara area but his final shoty was blocked.
Towards the end of the half, Valletta looked the better team. A Bajada cross from the left hit Camenzuli and fell invitingly to Nafti but keeper Haber was alert to thwart him. And after Bajada was caught in an offside position on a Nafti cross, Haber was good in the air to reach for Nafti’s high free kick from the right.
The mildly interesting, rather than exactly quality play, continued well into the second half.
Fenech served Nafti whose shot on the turn went over. By the hour, Valletta introduced Lateef Alliyu for Cremona and Birkirkara responded by putting in Ellinton Liliu to replace Bissi. But a flurry of misplaced and jittery passes from both sets of players did little to improve matters.
Valletta did create the late limited chances though. Fenech picked a Zerafa clearance, grounded Rowen Muscat but shot against the side netting. Soon after Bajada shot over from the edge of the area.
Birkirkara put in Paul Fenech for the last six minutes and Zach Muscat headed Ledesma’s corner narrowly wide with Liliu also missing the target after advancing from the right.
But as neither side were able to find the quality to make a breakthrough, the match went into extra time.
Valletta again had slightly the better of their opponents, with Nafti a constant menace, and keeper Haber had to stretch himself to hold out Nafti’s low diagonal drive. Barry ran in well inside teh Birkirkara area for Alliyu’s low pass but shot incrediby over. Mazzetti reached before Al- liyu on Nafti’s dangerous cross.
Birkirkara played the last trump card, putting in Nasser Maachi for the final 12 minutes.
And with 10 minutes remaining, Paul Fenech resolved a goalmouth scramble in the Valletta area as Liliu headed the ball towards the middle, Maachi and Dimech both slipped, and Fenech was quick to beat keeper Vella with a low drive that won the day for the Stripes.