Cain Attard, Neil Tabone and Henry Bonello in the limelight

BOV Premier Division Statistics 2022-23 – Match Day 20

1 – Gudja goalkeeper James Pisani, aged 28, made his Premier Division debut in their 1-1 draw with Marsaxlokk. Pisani started the match due to the unavailability of regular goalkeeper Glenn Zammit. He was already stand-in custodian during Senglea’s 2020/21 Covid-19 plagued season, but did not make any appearances. It was however the 63rd senior appearance for the St Patrick product who, apart from his nursery club and Senglea Athletic, also played one season for Vittoriosa Stars.

2 – The goalless draw between Mosta and Valletta on Sunday (19.02.2023) arrived nearly two years after Mosta obtained their last goalless draw in the Premier Division against Sirens on 21 February 2021. It was also the second ever goalless draw in history between the two, the first one was also in the Premier Division, in a match played on 27 November 2016.

15 – Hamrun Spartans’ 0-0 draw in the top clash with Birkirkara was their 15th clean sheet this season. Only Zebbug Rangers (4) and Hibernians, Mosta, Gzira United and Pieta’ Hotspurs (one each) managed to find the net against the Spartans in the Premier Division this season. Henry Bonello kept 12 clean sheets and at the start of the season, stand-in goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez three.

50 – One time Malta international Neil Tabone made his 50th Premier Division appearance in Gudja’s match against Marsaxlokk (1-1). The injury-plagued wing back, who had his first registration with Floriana but played most of his apprenticeship and senior career with Zejtun Corinthians, signed for Gudja in the summer of 2021 but only played 31 Premier Division matches so far for the Blues. With 182 senior appearances counting all competitions, the 25-year-old defender is already nearing the 200 official games in Maltese football.

200 – Malta international Cain Attard played his 200th Premier Division match in the goalless draw against Hamrun Spartans last Sunday. The wingback cum midfielder made his Premiership debut during season 2014/15 in the blue colours of Pieta’ Hotspurs, made 27 appearances (1 goal) before joining Birkirkara in the summer of 2015. The match against Hamrun was his 173rd in the Premier for Birkirkara, rounding up a handsome 200. The 28-year-old scored nine Premier goals for Birkirkara, bringing his total on ten.