Birkirkara finish third in the league

by Ayrton Galea - 7th May 2011

Birkirkara finished their Premier League involvements and in their last match they were beaten by Floriana with a score of 3-0.

Both teams were lacking determination as this match was only deciding the second place with both teams sure that they will take place in the Europa League. The 3-0 loss surely was not a merited one for Birkirkara, but if there were a team that deserved to win it was 'The Greens'.

One should mention the huge mistake made by the assistant referee in the second goal scored by Floriana. Joseph Borg's shot saw the Floriana striker in the offside position and anticipated Manuel Bartolo, and the ball went in. Everyone thought that the assistant referee would raise his flag, but this never happened and as expected this decision saw all the Birkirkara players protesting for this mistake. Obviously the referee did not change his decision and the goal was validated.

Birkirkara were lacking Andrew Decesare, Joseph Zerafa and Nikola Vukanac. Andrew Decesare and Joseph Zerafa were suspended while Nikola Vukanac was ill.

Ryan Camenzuli, the 16 year old youngster was making his debut as he started the match for the first time ever with the First Team.

Both teams opened well and on the 12th minute Floriana had the first opportunity when Joseph Borg tried his luck with a powerful shot from the right but was turned into a corner kick by a fine save by Manuel Bartolo.

Birkirkara's reply was quick and two minutes later, Andrei Agius almost put Birkirkara in the lead with a beautiful shot from outside the area with the Floriana goalkeeper, Matthew Towns managed to deflect into a corner.

Floriana took the lead on the 17th minute when a fine freekick by Christian Cassar was temporarily saved by Manuel Bartolo but from the rebound Joseph Borg put the ball into the net from a close range.

One became two on the 26th minute, when as said earlier, a mistake by the assistant referee helped Floriana to double the lead and trash Birkirkara's hopes.

Floriana made sure of the three points when they scored their 3rd goal. Daniel Nwoke served Dragomir Draganov and beat Manuel Bartolo from close range.

The first half ended in a 3-0 lead for Floriana, with the Birkirkara supporters evidently not happy with the score, nor with the assistant referee.

In the second half, Mr. Paul Zammit made two substitutions. First on the 57th minute, Karl Pulo replaced Ryan Camenzuli and three minutes later Rodolfo Kumbrevicius replaced Michael Galea.

Birkirkara tried to react but it was a rather weak reaction. Although they created good opportunities which could have lead to a goal but this did not happen.

Floriana were controlling the game well and they created some good opportunities with Birkirkara trying to play the counter-attack game. In one such good counter attack, a good low cross from the right was met by Emiliano Lattes and blocked by Matthew Towns with the ball hitting the Argentine striker to end up into a goal kick.

On the 79th minute, Trevor Cilia replaced Angus Buhagiar in the last substitution for Birkirkara.

Seven minutes from time, on the 83rd minute Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to pull one back, when they were awarded a penalty but Emiliano Lattes shot hit the upright.

Birkirkara will meet Floriana next Sunday in a very decisive match in the aim to advance to the U*BET FA Trophy final.

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