FLORIANA 1 BIRKIRKARA 2

Birkirkara registered a hard-fought win over Floriana to maintain their hopes of clinching the runners-up spot in this year’s campaign.  

The Stripes stormed into the lead after 17 minutes when Herrera sliced a decent cross towards Ledesma who had little difficulty in planting the ball past Gauci.

Floriana’s first sniff at goal came after 23 minutes when Matteo Picciollo saw a swerving, dipping shot tipped over the bar by Justin Haber. The Italian striker benefited from some sterling midfield service from Steve Pisani as Borg was also growing into the game.

The absence of Birkirkara’s defensive duo- Vukanac and Bissi- gave a boost to Floriana’s physical approach, particularly in the 34^th minute when Borg drifted down the length of the field, exchanged the ball in a swift one-two move with Vito Plut before shooting past Haber.

The stunned Birkirkara were again caught out at the back five minutes after the break as Floriana’s quick transition saw Borg guide another inviting pass to Picciollo but Haber blocked the striker’s attempt at goal.

The eagerness of their midfielders to break forward in numbers every time Floriana switched from defence to attack had Birkirkara under pressure.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Floriana suddenly faded badly during a second half in which Borg and Pisani dropped deeper and Sciberras improved appreciably in the process, the stripes took control of the game.

Herrera gradually mastered his on the right back role, thoroughly subduing Muir before reminding everyone that his repertoire includes the delivery of mean crosses as Scicluna took advantage of loosing marking to flash in to poke the ball home with a rising shot.

Floriana’s biggest hope of grabbing hold of a lifeline came in the shape of substitute striker Giovanni Galea whose goalbound looping header was brilliantly hooked away by Ryan Camenzuli off the line.

Galea’s header looked to have crossed the line before Camenzuli intercepted the ball. TV replays failed to show whether the ball had crossed the line entirely.

Crucially, however Floriana’s last chance fell to Muir. Camenzuli sent Picciolo’s serious venture towards the Birkirkara penalty area. The free-kick was awarded in perfect Muir territory.

The Englishman exacted a delightful right-foot strike that bent viciously away from Haber’s despairing dive but also agonisingly wide.