Buoyant Stripes face Floriana in a tough test
by Ayrton Galea - 30th January 2016
Birkirkara FC are going through a positive patch in the BOV Premier League, having registered five consecutive victories. They will be hoping to extend this positive run this afternoon when they take on Floriana FC, but their task is far from plain sailing.
The Stripes' recent winning streak, made up five league matches and a win in the FA Trophy, is an indication of their potential. However, today's match is another stern test for the Stripes, as Floriana are a team that is being of the most aggressive sides in the Premier League.
January saw drastic changes happening to Birkirkara's squad, with the Stripes being the most active club locally in this transfer window. Birkirkara continued to strengthen its squad in these last days, bringing the tally of newcomers up to nine. This week they signed three forwards, that is, Ryan Darmanin, Matija Smrekar and L'Imam Seydi.
It looked like a huge risk to make all these changes in January, but so far the gamble paid off. Last Wednesday, the Stripes defeated St. Andrew's with a 3-1 score, which was the third victory in the space of seven days, after beating Valletta 1-0 in the FA Trophy, and Sliema Wanderers 2-0, last Saturday.
The victory against St. Andrew's enabled the Stripes to close the gap with Valletta to just three points, and to two points with Hibernians, while opening a six-point advantage over today's opponents Floriana, who were leapfrogged by Balzan in the fourth place by a single point.
In their last match, played against their bitter rivals Valletta, Floriana failed to preserve an early lead, and they succumbed 2-1 in the derby.
This season the Greens have shown they are a side not to be taken lightly, and they are expected to be a tough nut to crack for the Stripes. In the first-round the two sides had to settle for a point each, as they failed to go beyond a goal-less stalemate.
Birkirkara should have Matija Smrekar in line for his debut while Emerson Marcelina, loaned to Floriana on Sunday, could make his first appearance following his return with the Greens. For the latter, Clyde Borg and Nicholas Chiesa are suspended.
The match will be played at the National Stadium and it will kick off at 16:00.
Come on the Stripes!
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