Greens' double stuns Stripes

The Birkirkara clan were rightly expecting to cash in on Sliema's failure to beat Hibernians in yesterday's first clash. However, they were again found wanting when facing Floriana, themselves in desperate need of points to avoid ending in the bottom pool.

Birkirkara 0
Floriana 2

Another valiant display by the green-shirted players, nourished by spirit and all-out commitment, was almost a carbon-copy of the corresponding first round encounter between the two teams, when the Greens won 2-1. Indeed, Floriana are fast becoming the Stripes' 'enfant terrible'.

Although Ziya Yildiz would concede that his team did not enjoy any territorial edge and perhaps on chances, the Greens did not outpoint their opponents until the last quarter-of-an-hour, many would give credit to Floriana for an accomplished and disciplined outing which gradually wore out the yellow reds.

As a consequence, the result, despite an unlucky late episode when the ball hit the woodwork to deny the nine-man Stripes of an equaliser, did justice to the Greens' tactical acumen.

Encouraged by the minimum points gained by the chasing pack of Sliema and Hibs in the previous match, Birkirkara took to the field in the hope that a win would further widen their lead they have over the Wanderers at the top of the table.

The suspension of Lucian Dronca forced Stephen Azzopardi to pull Roderick Briffa down as a middle defender alongside Kenneth Scicluna.

The Greens started with Stephen Wellman again as a defender, renouncing to grafting qualities of Shawn Bajada. Jonathan Holland was out with flu.

Floriana were never subdued in the opening period, despite conceding more of the ball to their opponents. William Camenzuli's early back pass nearly aroused havoc as Justin Haber missed the ball which luckily trickled to corner.

There was nothing in it despite two headers by Chucks Nwoko both saved smartly by Matthew Camilleri.

Haruna Doda and Matthew Calascione were being constantly shadowed by Joseph Craig Schembri and Ian Azzopardi. So were Edoardo Do Nascimento, Bizu and Nicolò Baldacchino at the other end.

Play grew a little scrappy as the half time approached and the resultant lack of action and excitement came as no surprise.

The game could be set alight if a goal were scored. Half-time pep-talks were intended to ignite the proceedings.

George Mallia, trying to connect first-time to a low cross from the right, could have provided that spark but his effort drifted past the target. The Stripes remained more insistent and a dangerous cross from the right had the beating of Camilleri, as well as Mark Anthony Bonnici lurking on the blind side.

Bizu was now a lone figure up front for the Greens as the league leaders pushed their opponents deeper into their half of the field. Bajada, coming on for Baldacchino, tried to complement the role of his Brazilian colleague up in attack. Dividends from breakaways could not be excluded.

Andre Rocha Da Silva's low drive from 30 metres tested Haber. Gradually, the yellow-reds enterprise was being stifled. Wellman, Azzopardi and Gango-Rtsa, in front of the steady Camilleri, were doing sterling work.

With 16 minutes to go and after Briffa had been red-carded for a second bookable offence, the Greens won a free-kick. The ball off Bajada's foot, fell in the path of Wellman whose left-footed shot rolled past the diving Haber.

Four minutes later Birkirkara were reduced to nine men when Doda fouled Da Silva seemingly off the ball, with the referee brandishing the red card straightforward.

It was Wellman's turn to be dismissed on a second booking when he retaliated. The Stripes were then thwarted an equaliser when the ball hit the post off a posse of players.

Excitement reigned when Floriana netted a second goal. A low shot from Bizu hit the post before rebounding again to the same player who whacked in.

The Stripes' fate had been definitely sealed.

Birkirkara: J. Haber, L. Galea (M.A. Bonnici), W. Camenzuli, M. Calascione, H. Doda, C. Nwoko, C. Micallef (A. Tabone), K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, G. Mallia, A. Ciantar.

Floriana: M. Camilleri, R.M. Gango-Rtsa, C. Ciantar, I. Azzopardi, J.C. Schembri, A. Rocha Da Silva, T. Cilia (K. Formosa), C. Mattocks, E. Do Nascimento, S. Wellman, N. Baldacchino (S. Bajada).

Referee: Emanuel Zammit.

Scorers: Wellman 74; Do Nascimento 88.

Yellow Cards: Ciantar; Azzopardi; Doda; Da Silva.

Red Cards: Briffa 74; Doda 78; Wellman 84.

MIA Player of the match: Andre Rocha Da Silva (Floriana).