Floriana 3
Birkirkara 0
Floriana made sure of a second place finish behind runaway leaders Valletta, after beating nearest challengers Birkirkara with three first half goals. The Greens are hitting form at the right time and stunned their opponents with a more aggressive approach.
With European particpiation already ensured, both teams’ minds were on the upcoming FA Trophy semi-final fixture in a week’s time.
Both sides were bereft of several regulars, thus giving a start to some fringe players.
Floriana made the mores assertive start. By 12 minutes, Joseph Borg tested keeper Bartolo with a powerful shot on Draganov’s pass.
On the other end, keeper Towns held out an agius angled shot.
A quick 20-minute burst gave Floriana a three-goal lead before halftime.
On 17 minutes keeper Bartolo failed to hold a Cassar free kick from the left and Joseph Borg was quick to knock the ball over the line.
Floriana’s second goal ten minutes later was shrouded in controversy. Jospeh Borg’s tame shot completely deceived keeper Bartolo who was distracted by the presence of Floriana forward Draganov in front of him, clearly in an offside position. But the hot protests of the Birkirkara players were turned down by the referee and his assistant.
There was no denying the Greens on 36 minutes. Cassar played the ball square to Nwoke who picked Dragamir Draganov who was quick to hit past the helpless Bartolo.
Birkirkara tried to put some pressure on their opponnents after the interval but rarely troubled Floriana’s resolute defence. The running of Babatunde and Lattes proved little productive and their crosses were often stifled by the omnipresence of Floriana’s Farrugia and Bugeja at the back.
The introduction of Kumbrevicius for Galea on the hour was meant to pose an aerial threat for the Floriana defence but the Brazilian failed to put his head to Babatunde’s testing cross on 65 minutes.
Lattes had a shot blocked by the keeper and seven minutes from time, the Argentine even contrived to miss a penalty, thumping his shot against the upright, after he had been florred inside the Floriana area.
It was clearly not Birkirkara’s night as they ended a rather disappointing season with defeat.
They now try to redeem themselves in the FA Trophy.......Floriana permitting!
Floriana: M. Towns, D. pisani, T. Farrugia, O. Bugeja, M. Micallef (B. Said), C. Borg, T. Paris, C. Cassar, D. Draganov, J. Borg (S. Borg), D. Nwoke
Birkirkara: M. Bartolo, R. Scicluna, P. Borg, R. Muscat, E. Lattes, P. Fenech, A. Agius, R. Camenzuli (K. Pulo), A. Buhagiar (T. Cilia), M. Galea (R. Kumbrevicius), I. Babatunde
Referee: A. Azzopardi
Asst.refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri
4th official: A. M. Sant
Scorers: J. Borg 17, 27, D. Draganov 36
Player of the match: J. Borg (Floriana)
TMI top 3: 1. C. Cassar 2. J. Borg 3. T. Farrugia
Attendance: 920