Malta round-up: Birkirkara go top

Birkirkara FC moved to the top of the Maltese Premier League with a 2-1 win at Hamrun Spartans FC on Saturday.

Triumph for Azzopardi
New coach Stephen Azzopardi enjoyed a successful start despite Hamrun taking a 20th-minute lead through Carlos Paiber. Lino Galea put the visitors back on level terms five minutes into the second half before Chucks Nwoko scored the winner on 81 minutes.

Inspired performance
It was a particularly satisfying victory for Azzopardi who was without Joe Brincat and Michael Spiteri through injury. Birkirkara’s William Camenzuli was in particularly inspired form at the Ta' Qali stadium, earning the man of the match award.

Morale boost for Marsa
In Saturday’s other game, Lolly Aquilina’s Marsa FC side recorded a morale-boosting 1-0 win over champions Valletta FC. The all-important goal for newcomers Marsa arrived in the 61st minute, from a Nikolai Slavtchev spot-kick.

Fifth place
Donovan Friggieri who joined Marsa in midweek from Rabat Ajax FC on loan until the end of the season, spurred his side to another precious three points. The win puts Marsa in fifth place and with a chance to make it to the final championship pool phase.