Ten-men Stripes share the spoils with Floriana

by Ayrton Galea - 19th August 2017

Birkirkara FC started the BOV Premier League campaign for Season 2017-2018 with a 1-1 draw against Floriana FC, as they held to a point despite having to play for twenty minutes with one player less.

In a match that saw Birkirkara fielding a completely new squad, Floriana surged ahead on the nineteenth minute courtesy of Mario Fontanella, but the Stripes made the score level four minutes later thanks to a goal by Bruno Andradre.

The Stripes were forced to play the last twenty minutes with one player less, as substitute Edmond Agius collected two yellow cards in space of twenty-five minutes, but they showed a strong character, as they held strong for a point in the opening match of the league.

Birkirkara had Coach Peter Pullicino making his debut like no less than eighth players. Alexander Nillsson, Bruno Andrade, Jake Grech, Llywelyn Cremona, Lucas Maia, Luke Montebello, Martin Klein and Renato Camilo were all in the starting-eleven. On the other hand, Walter Acevendo was included as a substitute.

On the other hand, goalkeeper Philip Schranz, Ryan Camenzuli and Kurt Zammit were making their first appearance as they returned from loan. Goalkeeper David Cassar, Brandon Muscat and Edward Herrera are nursing different injuries, while forward Ernest N'for wasn't eligible to play this.

The First Half

Birkrikara created the first scoring opportunity on the fifth minute. Jake Grech served Luke Montebello inside the box and his shot from an ideal position was deflected, and easily saved by goalkeeper Ini Akpan.

Floriana replied on the eleventh minute. Steve Pisani did well to escape from his marker, but his shot from outside the box was easily saved by goalkeeper Philip Schranz. Four minutes later, Jake Grech caught Akpan out of his position but his shot ended wide by a whisker.

Floriana surged ahead after eighteen minutes. A low cross from the right failed to be cleared by Klein, and deflected by Camilo into the path of Mario Fontanella, who all alone, placed the ball past Schranz.

The Stripes made the score level on the twenty-third minute. Ryan Camenzuli made a devastating run down the left flank before sent a precise low-cross towards Bruno Andrade, who controlled and placed the ball home.

Just before half-time, Bruno Andrade made an excellent run on the left flank, before he dashes to the middle and had his shot turned into a corner by Akpan.

The Second Half

Floriana went close five minutes inside the second half. A corner kick taken by Steve Pisani saw Enzo Ruiz rising high to hit a powerful header, but his effort scratched past the post. Moments later the same player had his header saved by Schranz.

The Greens improved by the introduction of Nicholas Chiesa and they went close to regain the lead on the hour mark. Chiesa unzipped the defence with a perfect pass towards Cabral but his shot from inside the box was denied with a stunning save by Schranz.

Floriana continued to dictate matters and Mario Fontanella went close on the sixty-ninth minute, but his powerful low shot was denied by the foot of the post, with Schranz beaten.

The Stripes suffered a drawback nineteen minutes from time. Substitute Edmond Agius, who was already cautioned, committed another foul and the Referee showed Agius his second yellow card as the Stripes were forced to continue with one player less.

From the resulting free-kick, Floriana were denied once again from regaining the lead as Maurizio Vella's effort hit the post.

Floriana put everything forward and they almost got the winning goal three minutes from time, but Cabral's header from an ideal position was saved by Schranz, who completed a very satisfactory match, as the Stripes held for a point.

BIRKIRKARA: Philip Schranz, Renato Camilo, Lucas Maia, Ryan Camenzuli, Jake Grech (79' Cain Attard), Kurt Zammit, Martin Klein, Llywelyn Cremona (46' Edmond Agius), Luke Montebello, Alexander Nilsson (72' Walter Acevedo), Bruno Andrade.

FLORIANA: Ini Akpan, James Baldacchino, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (79' Leighton Grech), Ignacio Varela (50' Nicholas Chiesa), Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Alex Cini, Mario Fontanella.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Martin Borg.
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace.

Yellow Cards: Llywelyn Cremona, Enzo Ruiz, Edmond Agius, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Leighton Grech, Philip Schranz

Scorers: 18' Mario Fontanella (Floriana), 23' Bruno Andrade (Birkirkara).

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

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