Premier League: Birkirkara suffer first defeat of the season

Floriana ended the first phase of the Opening Round on a high when in a direct encounter against runaway leaders Birkirkara they inflicted on the Stripes the first defeat of the season.It was a well deserved win for the boys in Green who had Carlo Za

By: independent.com.mt

Nov 08 2024
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Premier League: Birkirkara suf

Floriana ended the first phase of the Opening Round on a high when in a direct encounter against runaway leaders Birkirkara they inflicted on the Stripes the first defeat of the season.

It was a well deserved win for the boys in Green who had Carlo Zammit Lonardelli in fine form, also grabbing a brace. A win which close the gap at the summit to five points.

On 20 minutes Floriaan went near when following a good run by Reid, his pass found Franklin Sasere whose shot hit the upright. But a minute later they forged ahead. Off a Jake Grech corner Carlo Zammit Lonardelli rose high with his header beating goalkeeper Volpe.

After this early setback the Stripes mounted an immediate reaction and a Lacunza shot was partially saved by Mafoumbi, and from the rebound Yikpe's effort was cleared off the line by Yameogo.

Ten minutes from the break Birkirkara drew level. It was Augustin Sandona who took a loose ball following a corner and fired into the net.

On 50 minutes Satariano made a good solo run from the middle of the park and after making his way past three opponents saw his shot blocked into a corner by El Hasni.

But it was Floriana who regained the lead once again ten minutes into the second forty five minutes. Once again a good combination between Grech and Zammit Lonardelli, with the latter scoring his second of the evening.

The Stripes reply came just past the hour through Maia whose header off a Lacunza cross just missed the target. And few minutes later the same player tried his luck but his shot from the edge of the area went just wide off the mark.

The Greens sealed the issue on 73 minutes when a Jake Grech corner found the unmarked Yameogo who had the easiest of chances to draft the ball into the net.

The only negative mark for Floriana was when in the 83rd minute they were reduced to ten man after Emerson de Souza was given the marching orders following a dangerous tackle on Andrea Zammit.