Stripes defeated by Floriana

by Ayrton Galea - 11th February 2017

Birkirkara FC suffered a blow in their ambitions of finishing in the top three places of the BOV Premier League as a goal in each half by Mario Fontanella gave Floriana FC a narrow 2-1 victory, with Vito Plut's late goal not enough for the Stripes to save any points.

In a balanced encounter, the Greens made the best of Birkirkara's shaky start as they surged ahead after just three minutes. They doubled the score eleven minutes inside the second half to be in the driving seat for the victory and controlled well before Birkirkara scored what had to be only a consolation goal in the first minute of added time for the second half.

Floriana now leap-frog the Stripes and move to the third place, one point over Valletta and two over Birkirkara. However, Valletta have a game in hand as tomorrow they take on Hamrun Spartans.

Coach Nikola Jaros kept the same first-eleven selection while James Brincat and Predrag Jovic replaced Steven Bonnici and Gonzalo Malan on the substitutes' bench.

The First Half

Floriana surged ahead in their first attack after just three minutes. Ryan Camenzuli sprinted down the left flank before delivering a low cross towards Mario Fontanella who hit home from close-range.

The Stripes almost made them level two minutes later. A well taken free-kick by Miguel Alba saw Christian Bubalovic's header blocked with an excellent save of goalkeeper Justin Haber. Goalkeeper Henry Bonello then came out to intercept a good cross by Igancio Varela.

Floriana had a penalty shout turned down mid-way through the first-half and from the resulting counter attack, Plut and Alba exchanged possession with the latter's shot was deflected into a corner kick.

Dimitrov and Alba combined well on the thirty-sixth minute before his cross was headed wide by Herrera as Floriana ended the first-half with a narrow lead.

The Second Half

Five minutes inside the second half, Herrera had his shot ending over and just moments later, Dimitrov stole possession off an erratic pass and was quick to surge forward but his shot was saved by Haber.

Floriana doubled their lead on the fifty-seventh minute. Steve Pisani picked-up Fontanella who got past Attard and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Bonello for his second personal goal.

The Stripes tried to make a reaction, especially after the inclusion of Predrag Jovic and Ryan Scicluna who replaced Christian Bubalovic and Edward Herrera, but they couldn't break down the Floriana's solid defence.

Birkirkara pulled a goal back in the first minute of added time when Vito Plut drilled a low shot past goalkeeper Justin Haber, but the Greens held strong for a vital victory.

BIRKIRKARA: Henry Bonello, Edward Herrera (60' Ryan Scicluna), Christian Bubalovic (60' Predrag Jovic/0, Gareth Sciberras, Mislav Andelkovic, Srdjan Dimitrov, Vito Plut, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Miguel Alba (Matthew Guillaumier), Cain Attard.

FLORIANA: Justin Haber, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Ignacio Varela, Sebastian Nayar (60' Antonio Monticelli), Maurizio Vella, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Mario Fontanella, Ryan Camenzuli.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Paul Apap.
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow Cards: 24' Christian Bubalovic, 34' Alex Cini, 86' Joseph Zerafa.

Scorers: 3', 56' Mario Fontanella (Floriana). 90+1' Vito Plut (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Mario Fontanella (Floriana).

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