Floriana and Birkirkara shared the spoils in an entertaining encounter at the National Stadium yesterday that came alive in a spirited second half. The Stripes had taken the lead through a Mifsud Triganza penalty but Floriana equalised five minutes from time with a fine goal by Wendell Gomes.

With this result, Birkirkara share fourth place with Sliema and Valletta whilst Floriana remain in 7th place with 9 points.

After a bright start to the season, Floriana were looking to re-ignite their championship challenge after some poor results. The same mood affected Birkirkara who were looking a far cry from the championship winning side of last season. The Stripes were plagued by a host of injuries with Galea, Barbara, Holland and Zahra out of the first eleven whilst the Greens were more or less in full force although the young Christian Caruana was starting on the subs bench.

Birkirkara began on the attack and won a free kick just outside the Floriana box with William Camenzuli shooting into Camilleri’s hands. Seconds later it was Mifsud Triganza’s turn to blast a shot just wide with Floriana appearing in some disarray.

There were few chances in the first 22 minutes with Wendell Gomes sending a piledriver well wide after a pass by Trevor Cilea. Floriana again came close on 26 minutes when the same Gomes shot just over after some fine work from Cilia. On the half hour, William Camenzuli shot well wide of Camilleri’s left hand post as Birkirkara advanced timidly forward.

The best chances kept falling to Floriana however and they should have taken the lead on 35 minutes. Christian Cassar whipped a ball over to Gomes who shot just wide from an excellent position inside the box. Gallovich had a good chance for the Stripes on 39 minutes but shot well wide whilst Cilea blasted another effort wide on the stroke of halftime. Otherwise it had been a pretty drab fist half.

At the start of the second half, Mifsud Triganza was felled in the box by Mark Psaila with the referee unhesitatingly pointing to the spot. The same striker made no mistake from the spot, coolly slotting past a diving Camilleri for an important lead. Floriana attempted an immediate reaction but Cilia’s dangerous cross was well intercepted by Bledzewski on 49 minutes.

Gaps began appearing in the Floriana defence as the Stripes began operating on breakaways with Bonnici shooting just wide on 55 minutes.

Gomes saw another of his fine efforts end up well wide on 69 minutes and the same forward rounded the keeper just seconds later but could only shoot into the side netting.

Floriana were unlucky not to equalize on 79 minutes when Cilia concluded well enough but Bledzewski managed to block his shot.

Floriana’s patience was finally rewarded on 85 minutes when Wendell Gomes managed to find the net after a fine pass by Cilia to the ecstasy of the numerous Green support.

In the end, a point for both sides was the fair result

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Floriana: M. Camilleri, I.Azzopardi, R.M.Gango Rtsa, M.Psaila (C.Caruana), R.Newell, T.Cilia, C.Cassar (M.Caruana), M.Micallef, W. Gomes, A.Mifsud (M.Gauci), A.Buhagiar

Birkirkara: A.Bledzewski, M.A.Bonnici, L.Galea, P.Borg, R.Sammut, W.Camenzuli, M.Calascione, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, K.Scicluna, G.Mallia (K.Fenech), G.Gallovich (C.Micallef)

Referee: J.Attard, Asst. Refs: K. Borg, P. Agius 4th Official: C. Lautier

Scorers: J. P. Mifsud Triganza , W. Gomez

Yellow cards: I. Azzopardi, A. Mifsud, R. Newell, G. Gallovich, C. Cassar, JP. Mifsud Triganza, M.Calascione, W.Gomes

Player of the Match: J.P. Mifsud Triganza (B’Kara)

TMI top three : 1.T.Cilia 2.W. Gomes 3.J.P. Mifsud Triganza