FLORIANA 0

BIRKIRKARA 2

Maia 34, Satariano 36

FLORIANA

C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni, E. Mashike (64 F. Sasere), Z. Scerri (64 J. Portocarrero), D. Vella (64 J. Grech), O. Spiteri, M. Garcia, J. Gamarra (Q. Allionid), A. Garzia,  G. Yameogo (37 G. Sotomayor), Fernandinho.

BIRKIRKARA

G. Volpe, M. Morello, A. Sandona, A. Da Paixao (46 G. Yikpe) (90 M. Grech), P. Mbong (85 N. Cross), A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef, A. Coppola, S. Makoma, M. Maia (85 T . Papazov).

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic.

Yellow card: Morello.

Red cards: Morello (B) 67; Volpe (B) 90; Fernandinho (F) 90.

The lead at the top of the table has changed hands again as this memorable season is heading for a thrilling conclusion.

Birkirkara ended Floriana’s nine-match unbeaten run to move to the top of the standings, two points ahead of the Greens.

The match came alive past the half hour mark when Alex de Paixao run into the space to launch Maxuell Maia to notch his 20th goal of the season. The Stripes kept up the pace and exactly two minutes later Satariano made it 2-0.

Floriana had kicked off this match-anticipated game but Birkirkara had set the tone as a lively opening period more than matched the pre-game hype.

Maia broke the shackles after 12 minutes, only to see his low header brilliantly saved by Christoffer Mafoumbi.

Birkirkara were close again six minutes later with Satariano’s precise effort was pushed away by Mafoumbi.

Floriana’s only serious threat to Birkirkara’s supremacy was a shot by Elvis Mashike which was blocked by the Stripes rearguard.

But Birkirkara were in front on 34 minutes when Matias Garcia lost possession cheaply in midfield, Alex de Paixao ran almost the entire length of the pitch, and his pass cut through the Floriana defence and Maia scored with a typical clinical striker’s touch.

Floriana were being outclassed, and Birkirkara tightened their grip on the game two minutes later with a devastating attack.

Paul Mbong picked up the ball from Satariano and fed the overlapping Lautaro Lacunza who crossed for Maia on the other end, the Brazilian pulled it for Satariano to push the ball over the line.

When central defender Guy Yameogo left the pitch injured, Floriana coach Darren Abdilla attempted to provide problems for the Birkirkara, who had barely broken sweat in defence, by drafting in forward Gabriel Sotomayor.

Floriana finally gave Giacomo Volpe an anxious moment after 58 minutes when Fernandinho’s shot was just off target.

Birkirkara were then reduced to 10 men when Manuel Morello, already booked, wrapped both legs around substitute Jork Portocarrero.

Yet, Birkirkara kept their composure, regrouped and with Satariano dropping to the back four to contain their numerical disadvantage. 

Floriana defender Oualid El Hasni hit a header straight at Volpe as the Greens attempted an unlikely comeback.

Tempers boiled over in the closing minutes when Satariano and Fernandinho tangled which led to a melee in the Birkirkara box as Volpe pushed down the Brazilian midfielder. Referee Slobodan Petrovic dismissed both Volpe and Fernandinho as Birkirkara finished the match in nine men.

Despite this, it was a match remembered more for cool finishing rather than hot heads.