Birkirkara’s form keeps oscillating between the clinically effervescent and the hapless.
Yesterday they scored early, dominated for most of the first half, but failed to improve on that lead and were eventually caught up by an improved Floriana side in the second half as they faded out to near oblivion.
This was Birkirkara’s third draw on the trot that leaves them two points adrift of Hibernians and three away from Valletta if the champions beat Melita today.
For the Stripes, a worryting pattern is starting to emerge in terms of games slipping from their grasp as a result of conceding their lead.
Floriana were after their fourth consecutive league win against opponents unbeaten in six outings but this deserved draw stretches their unbeaten run to five league matches.The Greens kept faith in the same starting eleven who disposed of Mosta the previous week, although they had to make some changes after a sloppy start to the match.
Birkirkara, on their part, had dropped precious points in draws against Rabat Ajax and Balzan in their last two matches. Yesterday they had Edward Herrera and Gareth Sciberras back in their side, with Rowen Muscat and Ryan Scicluna making way. Ryan Camenzuli was not included in their squad.
Technically very assured, the Stripes used the thrusts of Jhonnattan and Herrera on the flanks to good effect, pushing Floriana to the backfoot and utilising the ploy of Mifsud Triganza and Hernandez to run through the middle to ping in shots.
In fact Birkirkara were the first to make the breakthrough after a quarter hour. On Jhonnattan’s corner from the right, Nikola Vukanac was allowed space to head past the helpless keeper Warner. Floriana only troubled keeper Atkpan with a Verma loe free kick that keeper Atkpan stretched himself to hold out after 22 minutes.
On 35 minutes, Mifsud Triganza failed to put power on his effort on a low Herrera cross before Floriana pulled out Cilia for Thomas Paris to add solidity to their rearguard.
In fact Bitkirkara only looked menacing before the break. Jhonnattan played one-two with Mifsud Triganza. His dippimng shot at the top corner was turned into a corner by keeper Warner.
On the other end, Corfionado latched on Paris’ through pass but the Birkirkara keeper rushed out to block his progression.
Floriana improved in the second half as they kept probing and began regularly to pull the Birkirkara defence to and fro.
On 63 minutes, Coronado played a free kick inside the Birkirkara area and Aman Verma beat the challenge of his marker in the air to head past keeper Atkpan.
Birkirkara tried to react. Three minutes later Jhonnattan’s shot from outside the area rebounded off the upright and was cleared into a corner. Mendez even netted from the flag kick but the goal was disallowed for some infringement.
Floriana looked more than capable of holding to their point. On 79 minutes substitute Alhino ran through on the right but hesitated too long and finally played the ball feebly in the goalkeeper’s hands.
Birkirkara effcted all their three substitutions but had lost all the early flair and only threatened in the late stages with a Fenech shot, blocked in the path of Jhonnattan who shot over the bar and the last chance went to waste.
Birkirkara: I. Atkpan, E. Herrera (R. Muscat), N. Vukanac, Z. Muscat, J. Zerafa, A. Mendoza, P. Fenech, G. Sciberras, Y. Hernandez (R. Scicluna), J. P. Mifsud Triganza, Jhonnattan
Floriana: T. Warner, K. Farrugia, T. Cilia (T. Paris), A. Verma, I. Coronado, S. Waisu (V. Alhinho), M. Spiteri (O. Bugeja), D. Pisani, T. Farrugia, C. Borg, S. Borg
Referee: C. Lautier
Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, T. Debono
4th official: F. Zammit
Scorers: N. Vukanac 15, A. Verma 63
Yellow cards: C. Borg, A. Mendoza, A. Verma, I. Coronado, Z. Muscat, T. Warner
Player of the match: Jhonnattan (Birkirkara)
TMI top 3: 1. A. Verma 2. Jhonnattan 3. C. Borg
Attendance: 783