A. Guarnone-7, C. Attard-6.5, E. Pepe-6.5, F. Verde-6.5, I. Ntow-6, L. Montebello-6, Y. Yankam-6.5, R. Altidor-6.5, P. Mbong-7, Caio-6 (82 K. Zammit), F. Falcone-6 (67 C. Bonanni-6).
FLORIANA
I. Akpan-6, E. Ruiz-6.5, J. Pisani-6 (90 A. Cini), D. Venancio-5, M. Dias-6, U. Arias-6 (84 D. Agius), R. Camenzuli-6, J. Busuttil-6, K. Keqi-5, M. Garcia-5, N. Leone-5 (69 S. Arab).
Birkirkara took another significant step towards securing European football this season as the Stripes had the better of champions Floriana at the National Stadium.
Stunning goals from young sensation Paul Mbong and the in-form Luke Montebello sealed the deal in favour of Birkirkara that moves them on the 41-point mark, four clear of Sliema Wanderers who are in action on Sunday.
Floriana, on the other hand, remain tenth on 26 points, three clear of the relegation zone.
There was little separating either side in the opening stages with Birkirkara holding the majority of possession with Floriana trying to catch their opponents with swift attacking moves.
It was Floriana who created the first chance of the match after 11 minutes of play when Ulises Arias moved in space on the right and sent a cross towards Jan Busuttil who saw his headed effort brilliantly pushed away by Birkirkara goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone.
After that, scoring chances remained few and far between as the match developed into a hard-fought encounter with both sides trying to gain a foothold with scant reward.
The second half started on a far brighter note with Birkirkara taking the lead courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Paul Mbong.
The young winger seized possession in midfield and despite being some 35 metres out he let fly an unstoppable drive that flew into the roof of the net.
On 58 minutes, Birkirkara should have doubled their lead when Caio stole possession from Diego Venancio on the edge of the Floriana area and sped inside the area but was blocked by the excellent Enzo Ruiz.
Birkirkara were now on top and three minutes later Akpan dived full stretch to keep our Reginald Altidor’s shot.
Floriana finally threatened on 73 minutes when Venancio’s attempted volley almost finished into the path of Keqi who, however, failed to connect from close in.
But it was Birkirkara who seal the points in style when Montebello took possession at half-pitch and hit a 50-metre lob that flew past the back-tracking Akpan and into the net.
