Birkirkara and Floriana in a goal less draw

by Ayrton Galea - 20th June 2011

This evening Birkirkara and Floriana shared the spoils in a goal-less draw, in what was the first match of the season for Birkirkara.

A 0-0 result does not depict the real story as Birkirkara dominated for long stretches and it was the factor of luck, or lack of it, that denied them from a deserved win. It suffices to say that Trevor Cilia hit the post twice.

Mr. Patrick Curmi adopted a 4-3-3 formation. Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora was defending the posts. Angus Buhagiar and Joseph Zerafa patrolled the lateral back while Andrei Agius and former Hibernians defender Matt Clarke, who is on trial with our Club, formed the central backs. Alan Tabone who was playing his first match after a five months loan spell with Vittoriosa, Paul Fenech and Rowen Muscat formed the midfield. Andrew Decesare and Trevor Cilia took the role of wing attackers and Jacopo Camilli started as a striker.

Also available for this match were the U-19 goalkeeper Karl Magri; Andrew Scicluna who returned from a loan to Mqabba; the first signing of the season, Leighton Grech; the Latvian defender who signed today, Marcis Savinovs; Ryan Scicluna; Terence Vella who also signed today; and the Argentine striker on trial, Victor Rena.

Missing from the squad were Omar Borg who was suspended, Shaun Bajada who was ruled out injured and Emiliano Lattes, whose future is still uncertain.

Birkirkara opened on an aggressive note and after just six minutes a perfect pass found Trevor Cilia unmarked, who advanced before firing a shot which beat Matthew Towns but was denied from scoring by the cross bar.

'The Stripes' continued to press forward and on the 17th minute Birkirkara trashed another good chance. A good run on the right by Trevor Cilia who gave a low cross which found Camilli unmarked but the latter's first timer effort ended wide.

Paul Fenech tried his luck with a long shot effort which also ended wide.

Trevor Cilia was denied by the crossbar from a cross shot on the 31st minute.

The first half ended in a 0-0 score.

The second half was quite boring as both teams exchanged play in the middle of the field with both goalkeepers hardly being tested.

On the 49th minute, Jorge Mora blocked a shot from L'Imam Seydi in one of the rare attacks that Floriana created.

Leighton Grech entered the field to make his debut with Birkirkara on the 58th minute when he replaced Andrew Decesare. On the 66th minute it was time for the Argentine striker to play his first match for Birkirkara while on the 78th minute the Latvian defender entered the pitch as he replaced Matt Clarke.

Just few moments after the Argentine Striker entered the field, Birkirkara had a good opportunity when Alan Tabone served Victor Rena who served Leighton Grech but Matthew Towns rescued the danger.

Birkirkara appealed for the penalty when Leighton Grech was floored inside the penalty area twice but referee Marco Borg had other thoughts and the match continued.

On the 89th minute, Birkirkara could have notched the winner when a perfect cross by Leighton Grech found Trevor Cilia unmarked but the latter's powerful but inaccurate shot ended wide.

Birkirkara will be involved in the second and final match of the Euro Cup when they will face Valletta. All Valletta need is a draw and they will be the winners of the cup. On the other hand Birkirkara will have to win the match to lift the cup.

As the MFA announced in a press release, tickets will not be available from the ticket booths before the match but they must be bought from the respective clubs or from the MFA National Stadium, Millennium Stand, Floor 2 from today till Thursday at noon. They are also available from the Infetti Training Grounds.

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