Floriana drop crucial points against Birkirkara

BIRKIRKARA     0

FLORIANA         0

BIRKIRKARA

A. Sylla-6, E. Ruiz-6, Y. Yankam-6.5 (71 P. Mbong), C. Bonanni-6, K. Zammit-6, F. Falcone-6 (86 N. Cross), R. Scicluna-6, O. Carniello-6, L. Aguirre-6, K. Bevis-6.5, J. Macedo-6.5 (71 D. Venancio.

FLORIANA

G. Kitanov-6, A. Magri Overend-6 (73 A. Garzia), C. Rutjens-6, O. El Hasni-6, Z. Cassar-6.5, U. Arias-6 (K. Reid), A. Ciolacu-6, M. Garcia-6, B. Paiber-6 (60 R. Camenzuli), E. Callegari-6 (60 R. Hovsepyan), J. Busuttil-6.5 (73 M. Veselji).

Referee: Ishmael Barbara

Yellow cards: Paiber, Rutjens, Zammit, El Hasni, Ciolacu, Bonanni.

BOV Player of the Match: Jan Busuttil (Floriana).

Floriana failed to collect the three points as they had to settle for a goalless draw with Birkirkara.

The two teams met on Monday in the quarter-finals of the Izibet FA Trophy with the Greens claiming a 3-1 win but on Saturday, they failed to take home the three points they needed in order to move back on top the BOV Premier League table, at least temporarily.

They have now gone four league matches without a win, collecting just two points from the three matches from the final round.

Meanwhile Birkirkara remain third, six points behind the Greens.

Leading the team for the first time was caretaker coach Jonathan Holland who took over from Andre Paus earlier this week. Holland had to deal with the absence of Enrico Pepe and Luke Montebello but named goalkeeper Amara Sylla in the starting line-up.

Floriana, on the other hand, had Kemar Reid and Ryan Camenzuli among the substitutes and both were included during the second half.

The Greens went in search of an early goal and Jan Busuttil went close with a shot from the right which was parried by Sylla on 10 minutes.

Nine minutes later, Busuttil just missed the target from a corner.

Birkirkara replied with a Ryan Scicluna cross-shot from the right which was parried by Kitanov on 24 minutes.

But two minutes later, Floriana almost forged ahead when Zachary Cassar delivered a perfect pass for Andrei Ciolacu who, however, failed to connect from an ideal position in front of the goalkeeper.

On 34 minutes, Federico Falcone tested the Floriana goalkeeper with a header following a cross by Yankam.

Towards the end of the first half, Busuttil had a shot from inside the area saved in two attempts by Sylla, when served by Cassar, and then Busuttil served Magri Overend whose powerful drive just missed the target.

The second half left much to be desired with hardly any shots at goal. Not even the several substitutions managed to change the proceedings.

Kilian Bevis went close for Birkirkara with a shot from the right which was neutralised by Kitanov on 74 minutes and five minutes from time, the French striker had a diagonal shot ending just wide for the Stripes.

Then in an isolated opportunity for the Greens, substitute Ryan Camenzuli threatened with a cross shot which ended just over the bar.