Floriana 0
Birkirkara 3
Shodiya 21; Jorge 63; El-Ghaouti 90+2;

After the abject performance in last week’s upset to Hibernians, Birkirkara hit back in convincing style yesterday with Nigerian striker Shola Haruna Shodiya capping a fine display by putting his name on the scoresheet and providing the assists for his team’s other two goals.

The Nigerian’s speed and trickery upped the Stripes’ performance – a vast improvement on that clumsy-looking side against Hibernians – as Birkirkara’s spirits were raised ahead of their difficult Europa League tie against Metalurg Skopje of Macedonia.

Floriana player-coach Ivan Woods, who preferred to view the match from the bench, was intent on using this warm-up to gauge the credentials of the three trialists at the club.

Spanish defender Alejandro Bolanos Garcia formed a central defensive partnership with youngster Francesco Guzman.

Antonio de La Torre, a 21-year-old striker, partnered Ryan Darmanin in attack while Kelvin Onosiughe, who was on the books of Pietà Hotspurs last season, played off the two strikers.

John Agius started in Floriana’s goal ahead of Jurgen Borg while Sacha Borg replaced Andre Grabowski on the left flank.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, had Reuben Gauci in goal while Patrick Borg replaced the suspended Rodrigo Pereira. Fabian Zammit came on for the injured Paul Fenech as Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza replaced Michael Camilleri up front.

Just over 21 minutes had elapsed when Birkirkara nosed ahead in freak circumstances. Gauci’s clearance from inside his own area bounced 20 metres from the Floriana’s goal and, with the help of the wind, freed Shola Haruna Shodiya behind the Greens defence before the Nigerian produced a delightful chip over Agius.

It took Floriana a while to get going but close to the 26th minute, Darmanin was unlucky to see his lob finish just over the bar.

There was no shortage of newcomers in view after the break as Mifsud Triganza was replaced by Omar El-Ghaouti.

After a sluggish start, the Moroccan striker came into the picture on 63 minutes when he supplied a through ball to Shodiya. The Nigerian showed great skill to release Jorge Santos Silva who drilled the ball past Floriana goalkeeper Agius.

Trailing by two goals, Floriana stepped up a gear and seven minutes later Sacha Borg hit the inner part of the post following a goalmouth scramble.

Floriana continued to create more scoring chances as substitute Christian Caruana put the ball into the path of Joseph Borg who tried to hook in an overhead kick from close-range but the ball went agonisingly just wide.

However, Birkirkara put seal to their win in the stoppage time when El- Ghaouti stretched that little to head in Shodiya’s inviting cross into an open goal.

Floriana
J. Agius, C. Borg (82 J.Borg), A. Bolanos Garcia, B. Farrugia, A. De La Torre, O. Bugeja, F. Guzman, M. Micallef, S. Borg, C. Caruana, R. Darmanin (57 J. Brincat), K. Onosiughe (51 C. Caruana).

Birkirkara
R. Gauci, J. Zerafa (73 A. Cassar), P. Borg, N. Vukanac, R. Muscat, F. Zammit (55 C. Johansson), R. Scicluna, Jorge, S. Haruna, R. Camenzuli, JP Mifsud Triganza (46 O. El-Ghaouti).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Micallef, A. Cassar.

Attendance: 242.

Standings


P W D L F A Pts
Hibernians 2 2 0 0 6 0 6
Valletta 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Birkirkara 2 1 0 1 3 5 3
Floriana 2 0 0 2 1 5 0

Next fixtures
Tomorrow: (Hibs Stadium) 18.30 Birkirkara vs Valletta.
Friday: (Hibs Stadium) 18.30 Hibs vs Floriana.

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