Birkirkara-Floriana 3-0

Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat, A. Mendoza, N. Vukanac, R. Camenzuli (J. Zerafa), G. Sciberras, F. Temile, R. Muscat, S. Shodiya (D. Toure’), P. Fenech, E. Herrera (T. Vella)

Floriana: D. Hanford, A. Scicluna (J. Xerri), S. Eboh, G. Favero, C. Caruana, I. Coronado, C. Borg, J. Borg (B. Farrugia), S. Pisani (D. Pinheiro), G. Muir, S. Borg

Referee:  M. Borg

Asst.refs:  M. Scerri, E. Spiteri

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: R. Camenzuli 8, F. Temile 57 pen, P. Fenech 66

Yellow cards: C. Borg, C. Caruana, R. Muscat

Player of the match: P. Fenech (Birkirkara)

TMI top 3:  1. P. Fenech  2. G. Sciberras  3. C. Caruana

Attendance: 1,051

A sloppy goal, from a Ryan Camenzuli cross shot in the opening minutes, paved the way to Birkirkara’s win – their tenth on the trot – against a disappointing Floriana side. A Frank Temile penalty and a third by player of the match Paul Fenech in the second half, keeps them firmly at the top, in an unchanged table position over nearest rivals Valletta and Hibernians at the weekend.

Birkirkara had plenty to enjoy as the gulf in quality between the two sides was quite evident. The strength-in-depth of their squad, keeps the champions unblemished in ten consecutive matches. Floriana put up one of their worst performances todate.

Birkirkara controlled the majority of a match, rather bleak as the weather at Ta’ Qali, played in wet conditions in front of nearly-empty stands. The lack of atmosphere did not help matters either, as both sets of players were erratic in the final third.

Two notable absentees for Birkirkara were Ryan Scicluna and Jhonnattan, both suspended. Frank Temile and Ryan Camenzuli provided replacements with Joseph Zerafa, Demba Toure’ and Terence Vella all going in as second half substitutes.

Floriana, themselves on a trail of three consecutive wins and entertaining high hopes of making it into the Championship Pool, again failed to deliver against superior opponents and this defeat, the second against Birkirkara this season, leaves them in seventh place, two points adrift of Mosta above them.

Floriana yesterday gave a start to Sunday Eboh as central defender alongside Andre Scicluna. Sacha Borg was also back after injury with Giacomo Favero given the nod ahead of Diogo Pinheiro.

Birkirkara’s  goal apart, the half’s highlights were two glaring opportunities missed at each end. Before the quarter hour, Shodiya chased a long Haber kick, outpaced the Floriana defence and avoided keeper Hanford, only to hit his final shot against the side netting, with an open goal at his mercy.

That could have gived the champions a two-goal lead after Birkirkara had gone in front, after only eight minutes play, in a rather fortuitous manner. Ryan Camenzuli’s cross shot from the left caught the Floriana custodian unawares and the ball finished behind him.

Floriana’s best chance to level matters fell on the half hour. Birkirkara’s hasty clearance on a Pisani cross from the right, allowed the ball to fall at the feet of Coronado who played a square pass to Joseph Borg. Unmolested in front of goal, the Floriana midfielder shot feebly straight on keeper Haber and the chance went to waste.

Birkirkara’s laid back approach invited Floriana into the match but the Greens, although their nerves settled and fears of acute embarrassment eased, failed to capitalise. They gave away possession too cheaply, the delivery of their crosses, especially from Pisani, was poor and Coronado’s contribution against strong opposition again left much to be desired.

Ten minutes into the second half, Floriana carved out another good opportunity. Pisani advanced on the left and when challenged by an opponent, he shot over with the outstep.

On 57 minutes, Pisani was again the culprit as he handled Herrera’s corner inside the Floriana area to concede a penalty. Frank Temile tucked it in with a powerful shot.

Pinheiro’s inclusion instead of Pisani on the hour might have come too late for Floriana who collapsed to concede a third goal on 66 minutes. Eboh failed to inbntercept Sciberras’ low cross from the right, the darting Temile shot against the foot of the post but Paul Fenech picked up the rebound to beat keeper Hanford from outside the area.

With uncertaintly spreading throughut the Floriana rearguard, substitute Zerafa connected to a Shodiya cross inside the area, but Hanford footed out his effort into a corner.

And with three minutes remaining, the Floriana shot stopper was again forced to tip splendidly into another corner Vukanac’s meaty free kick and avoid his side from further derision.