Birkirkara third after victory against Floriana

Birkirkara finished third in the competition after their victory against Floriana and with Valletta going down 2-1 against Hamrun.

These results saw the Stripes moving onto the 62-point mark and Valletta remaining on 59.

But the Stripes cannot say whether they will be admitted to European football as they still have to wait for the outcome of their appeal following the withdrawal of their UEFA licence.

Before the kickoff, Stripes skipper Gareth Sciberras, who started yesterday’s game as a substitute, was presented a gift by the club – he is quitting the game.

The game had a very slow start – there was not one single decent move in the opening 25 minutes – as the two defences appeared too superior to the two front lines.

Play was rather monotonous and restricted to midfield, but it eventually came to life in the final 15 minutes of the first half culminating in two incidents which were obviously the highlights of those opening 45 minutes.

First we had Floriana scoring what from the press box appeared to be a goal with the referee allowing play to go on (later it was confirmed to us reporters that the ball had hit the crossbar not the net). A few minutes later, at the other end, Birkirkara took the lead after a fast breakaway.

In the second half, play was livelier with Floriana seeking an equaliser and with the Stripes operating in fast counterattacks with man of the match Miguel Alba a protagonist.

When the Stripes added a second goal, it seemed to be all over, but the Greens fought back to score a goal and missed a great chance to get an equaliser when they were awarded a penalty in added time. But Pepe hit wide from the spotkick.

Neither side was convincing in the opening stages as the two sets of strikers were toothless in front of solid defences.

We had to wait till the 27th minute to see something noteworthy. Following a Dimitrov cross, Floriana goalie Haber intercepted graciously before Malan could do any damage.

Five minutes later, Dimitrov tried his luck with a volley, but Haber was not surprised and saved with ease.

In the 34th minute, Floriana appeared to have scored after a Vukanac clearance from over the line hit Camenzuli with the ball appearing to hit the roof of the net and rebounding out. Neither the referee nor his assistant signalled a goal and played went on, despite some protests by Floriana players.

Play continued and four minutes later, at the other end, it was Birkirkara who scored as Plut advanced on the right to cross low for Alba who beat Haber with a grounder.

In the 39th minute, it was Alba who hit wide from a good position and before the interval, Malan advanced into the Greens area only to be robbed of the ball in the nick of time by a Floriana defender.

Floriana were denied an equaliser by Bonello in the 45th minute as he blocked a shot from Camenzuli.

At the start of the second half, Camenzuli had a headed effort stopped by Bonello who turned to corner.

On the hour, substitute Guillaumier set Plut in the Greens area, but Haber rushed out of his charge to intercept.

Birkirkara doubled their lead in the 76th minute. It was Alba who broke away from near his own area, avoided tackles from two Floriana defenders and crossed perfectly for Vito Plut to first time home past a helpless Haber.

Floriana pulled one back on the 80th minute. A freekick from the far left produced a melee in the heart of the Birkirkara area which was resolved by Pepe who shot home from close in.

Floriana pressed for an equaliser and were awarded a penalty in added time after a dangerous tackle by Zerafa on Samb in the area. But from the

Floriana: J. Haber, A. Scicluna, A. Monticelli (C. Borg), E. Pepe, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, S. Nayar, A. Cini (M. Vella), A. Samb, N. Chiesa, R. Camenzuli (L. Cutajar)

Birkirkara: H. Bonello, E. Herrera, C. Bubalovic (S. Bonnici, M. Guillaumier), M. Andelkovic, S.Dimitrov (E. Agius), V. Plut, N. Vukanac, J. Zerafa, M. Alba, R. Scicluna, G. Malan Referee: F. Zammit Asst refs: L. Portelli, W. Debattista Add. Asst refs: M. Degabriele, S. Pace 4th official: A. Camilleri Scorers: M. Alba, V. Plut, E. Pepe Yellow cards: C. Bubalovic, A. Cini, A. Samb, S. Pisani, J. Zerafa, S. Nayar Player of the match: M. Alba TMI Top 3: 1. M. Alba, 2. N. Chiesa, 3. R. Scicluna

Attendance: 547

spotkick, Enzo Ruiz hit the ball over to hand victory – and the assurance of third place – to the Stripes.