Match Report: Birkirkara FC 2-0 Floriana FC

by Ayrton Galea - 17th December 2017

Birkirkara FC registered the third consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League to end this year on a positive note, when by an excellent performance they defeated Floriana FC with a 2-0 score, thanks to two goals in the opening seventeen minutes by Jake Grech and Luke Montebello.

The Stripes continued to build on their late form when they produced a magnificent performance to shock Floriana and chalk-up the third consecutive victory. The Stripes had an explosive start that saw them scoring twice in the opening seventeen minutes, before they comfortably defended their lead.

Jake Grech fired the Stripes ahead after eleven minutes and Luke Montebello doubled the lead six minutes later to put the Stripes in a comfortable position. Floriana reacted strongly in the second half but they couldn't break down Birkirkara's defensive resistance.

The Stripes remained in the eighth place but now has trimmed the gap to Floriana, Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers who all suffered defeats this weekend. The Stripes move now four points under Floriana, two under Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers while just one point under Hamrun Spartans.

Coach Paul Zammit made two changes from the last match as Bruno Andrade and Jake Grech replaced Edward Herrera and Ryan Camenzuli respectively.

The First Half

Birkirkara went out for this match with all guns blazing. Their powerful start was rewarded with the opening goal on the eleventh minute. Bruno Andrade outpaced his opponent and delivered an accurate low cross towards Jake Grech who hit home from close-range.

The Stripes extended their impressive start and doubled the lead on the seventeenth minute. Ryan Scicluna served Montebello who showed great skills to drift inside the box and struck a stunning curling effort that gave goalkeeper Akpan no chance.

Floriana were stunned. The flow of Birkirkara play seemed to be too much for the Greens as the Stripes continued to dictate matters. Bruno Andrade had a shot from distance ending wide following fine foot-work, while Vukanac headed wide by inches off an Andrade's corner.

The Greens began to settle. Steve Pisani had a shot from distance easily saved by Philip Schranz, while three minutes from half-time, in Floriana's best scoring opportunity Mario Fontanella's shot was saved by Schranz after he had beat the offside trap.

The Second Half

Coach Nicholas Chiesa roped-in Leighton Grech for Steve Pisani as the Greens put more men forward for the start of the second half.

Floriana were unlucky not to pull one back four minutes inside the second half. A direct free-kick by Maurizio Vella smashed against the crossbar, following a deflection by goalkeeper Schranz and the rebound was saved by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

The Greens continued to dictate matters in the second half with Vella inspiring his team. Vella had a fierce shot ending over twenty minutes inside the second half and two minutes later, his powerful drive hit the post.

Coach Paul Zammit opted include a more-defensive minded player as he included Ryan Camenzuli off Bruno Andrade as the match headed into the last twenty minutes. Three minutes later, Llywelyn Cremona replaced Jake Grech who had a very satisfactory performance.

Floriana looked down and out in the last ten minutes despite enjoying large swatches of possesion and it was the Stripes who almost added their third, but Carlos Alberto's shot was saved by goalkeeper Ini Akpan.

Referee Glenn Tonna's full-time whistle found the delighted Birkirkara clan celebrating an important victory which sees them ending this year on a positive note.

BIRKIRKARA: Philip Schranz, Cain Attard, Lucas Maia, Nikola Vukanac, Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna, Jake Grech (73' Llywelyn Cremona), Kurt Zammit, Carlos Alberto, Bruno Andrade (69' Ryan Camenzuli), Luke Montebello (84' Alexander Nilsson).

FLORIANA: Ini Akpan, Enrico Pepe (80' Dylan Grima), Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani (46' Leighton Grech), Clyde Borg, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Alex Cini, Arthur Oyama, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Marcellina.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Ryan Aquilina.
Fourth Official: Ismael Barbara.

Yellow Cards: 22' Kurt Zammit, 33' Steve Pisani, 48' Nikola Vukanac, 56' Leighton Grech, 61' Carlos Alberto, 82' Cain Attard

Scorers: 11' Jake Grech, 17' Luke Montebello (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Maurizio Vella (Floriana).

comments powered by Disqus