Floriana 2

Birkirkara 1

Floriana’s hopes of landing third place are still on course after beating Birkirkara in this direct encounter to upstage them in the Premier League standings. In a fairly sterile encounter Floriana took their chances better and managed to win the points thanks to an Onome Sodje brace within five minutes in the first half. They survived Birkirkara’s pressure in the second half, even when down to ten men for the last quarter hour.

However this win was nothing to shout about as Birkirkara had the better of the early exchanges and then again looked more adventurous in the second half. It was only some lack of decent finishing that let the Stripes down at the end. They pulled one back early after the restart through substitute Alves Moises but were unable to clinch at least an equaliser that they fully deserved. This was Birkirkara’s first defeat in seven matches.

Birkirkara, without the industrious Paul Fenech in midfield, and with Ryan Scicluna again preferred to Mifsud Triganza and Moises in their attack, made the more assertive start.

They almost exploited the unsettled Floriana rearguard when Bugeja and keeper Bartolo arrived late on Bajada’s delivery from the left but Shodiya shot over.

A blatant push by Micallef on Shodiya inside the area went unnoticed and then Akoto blocked Silva inside the Floriana area with a timely tackle.

But gradually, the Greens began to find the pace and movement. Past the half hour Doffo’s inswinging free kick from the left forced keeper Gauci to stretch full length and turn the ball into a corner.

Floriana suddenly jerked into shape and within five minutes they struck twice to take a comfortable lead before halftime.

On 33 minutes Woods played a long ball forward from half pitch. Sodje’s pace took him past the entire Birkirkara defence to place the ball beyond keeper Gauci’s reach.

Birkirkara’s immediate response came from a Scicluna cross from the right which Bajada hit wide.

But Floriana were two up on 37 minutes. Grabowski exchanged the ball intelligently with Borg before releasing the ball to Sodje who beat keeper Gauci again with an exquisite curling shot from the edge of the area.

Birkirkara needed to regroup for the second half. Pereira hobbled off with some knock at halftime and was substituted by Avila Moises. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza also went in for Bajada.

The first chance fell to Floriana though when Grabowski’s shot passed beneath Gauci’s body and into a corner.

Birkirkara soon pulled one back on 48 minutes, courtesy of a gaffe by keeper Bartolo who dropped the ball on Shodiya’s harmless cross from the right and the unmolested Avila Moises was on hand to shoot in.

A period of Birkirkara dominance ensued as the Florina rearguard looked more susceptible than the usual. The Stripes went close on 54 minutes with a fast break as Silva served Mifsud Triganza whose first shot was footed out by keeper Bartolo and then Bugeja headed out Mifsud Triganza’s second attempt.

A Scicluna shot was again blocked into a corner shortly after.

Floriana also threatened on the counter. Doffo’s free kick was fumbled by keeper Gauci into a corner and on 69 minutes Grabowski went past the grounded Birkirkara keeper but missed the target.

Floriana had midfielder Clyde Borg sent off in the last quarter hour for two yellow cards but Birkirkara failed to exploit their numerical superiority as Mifsud Triganza went inside the area but put his shot off target in the dying minutes and the chance went begging.

Floriana M. Bartolo, D. Pisani, M. Micallef, E. Akoto, O. Bugeja, P. Doffo, I. Woods, T. Paris (T. Farrugia), A. Grabowski (B. Farrugia), C. Borg, O. Sodje (S. Alandson)

Coach J. Brincat

Birkirkara R. Gauci, N. Vukanac, R. Pereira (A. Moises), J. Zerafa, S. Bajada (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), G. Sciberras, A. Buhagiar, R. Muscat, R. Scicluna, J. Silva (A. Tabone), S. Shodiya

Coach P. Zammit

Referee T. Farrugia Cann

Asst.refs A. Camilleri, M. Debono

4th official C. Lautier

Scorers O. Sodje 33, 37, A. Moises 48

Yellow cards S. Shodiya, C. Borg

Red card C. Borg

Player of the match Onome Sodje (Floriana)

TMI top 3 1. O. Sodje 2. S. Shodiya 3. I. Woods