BIRKIRKARA-3, FLORIANA-0
Birkirkara produced another strong performance to ease past the challenge of Floriana.
Billed as a tricky match for the Stripes in light of Floriana's improved performances of late, Birkirkara rose to the challenge as they dominated for long spells to secure a 3-0 victory that restored their four-point lead over Valletta at the top.
Two minutes into the game, Floriana's Christian Caruana back-heeled the ball to Joseph Borg but the latter's shot was blocked by Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
It was Birkirkara who broke the deadlock after seven minutes.
Floriana struggled to deal with a prolonged Birkirkara raid with the ball breaking to Rowen Muscat who switched it to Ryan Camenzuli on the left.
Camenzuli produced a cross-shot that deceived Floriana goalkeeper Daniel Hanford as the ball soared into the far corner of the net.
The score almost became 2-0 five minutes later as Shola Shodiya Haruna profited from a poor clearance to run clear through the midfield.
Birkirkara's Nigerian striker sped past Hanford but fired against the side-netting.
Zach Muscat's header from Edward Herrera's corner was blocked by Hanford on 15 minutes.
Floriana's Igor Coronado tried to surprise Haber with a shot from outside the box but the Birkirkara goalkeeper saved with ease.
The better football came from Birkirkara in the early exchanges. Frank Temile, who replaced the suspended Jhonnattann, sped into the box after skilllfully lifting the ball over Giacomo Favero but the Nigerian's attempt was pushed away by Hanford.
From the ensuing corner, taken by Herrera, Haruna nodded wide at the far post.
On the half-hour, Floriana missed a great opportunity to equalise. Steve Pisani's cross from the right was deflected into the path of Coronado who promptly squared the ball to the unmarked Joseph Borg but the latter shot straight at Haber.
Coronado, roaming on the left, drifted infield but his strike was too central to trouble Haber six minutes from half-time.
The Brazilian went closer two minutes later as his sweetly-struck drive, following a pass from Favero, whistled past the far post.
Early in the second half, Temile was wide with an angled shot.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Birkirkara were caught out the back after Gareth Sciberras's poor headed pass was picked up Coronado who quickly sent a through-ball to Pisani who speared his shot over the bar.
Pisani's woes increased moments later when he was adjudged to have blocked the ball with an arm as Floriana tried to clear a Herrera corner after Haruna's screamer had taken a deflection.
Referee Marco Borg pointed to the spot and Temile rifled his shot into the net to give Birkirkara a 2-0 lead.
Midway into the second half, Birkirkara wrapped up their win with a brilliant shot from Paul Fenech after Temile had hit a post.
With the Greens looking demoralised, Birkirkara continued to dominate, Haruna going close with a fierce drive that sailed wide of the far post.
Nine minutes from time, Floriana almost got one back but Haber did well to parry away Gary Muir's low free-kick and Coronado's follow-on effort was hooked away by Sciberras.
At the other end, the incoming Terence Vella misvcuedf his attempt from close in after being picked out by Demba Toure, who had just come on for Haruna.
With four minutes remaining, Rowen Muscat's free-kick from the distance was deflected over the bar and Sciberras's drive was stopped by Hanford.
Fenech, the Birkirkara midfielder, was voted BOV player of the match.