Fourth consecutive win for 'The Stripes'

by Ayrton Galea - 16th September 2012

Jhonnattann Benites was instrumental for Birkirkara as thanks to his hat-trick and a brilliant performance he helped Birkirkara easily defeat Floriana with a score of 3-0.

Birkirkara dominated right from the start by taking an early lead, but then Floriana put some pressure on 'The Stripes' defence however they failed to score. After Birkirkara scored their second goal, they were too superior for Floriana and the score could have been much higher.

Without any doubt, Jhonnattann Benites was the hero for Birkirkara by scoring three goals and having a brilliant performance and he deservedly was awarded the BOV Man of the Match.

Birkirkara were coming from three consecutive victories against Melita, Balzan Youths and Rabat Ajax respectively. Floriana were also unbeaten after the first three matches as they registered two consecutive draws of an identical 1-1 score against Sliema Wanderers and Hamrun Spartans, while they defeated Balzan Youths in their previous match.

Birkirkara had Joselito Dos Reis missing as he failed to recover from the injury suffered against Balzan Youths, while Ryan Scicluna returned from suspension.

Mr. Paul Zammit made three changes from the last match against Rabat Ajax, as Edward Herrera replaced Zach Muscat, Ryan Scicluna replaced Rowen Muscat and Shola Shodiya replaced Ryan Camenzuli.

Floriana were also not in full strength. Duncan Pisani was missing for 'The Greens' and Valdo Alhino started the match on the bench as he was not in the best condition. Jurgen Borg was preferred over Jonathan Debono to defend the posts.

The First Half

Birkirkara took an early lead as they opened the score on the 10th minute when Shola Shodiya sent a perfect through ball behind the Floriana's defence in direction of Jhonnattann Benites who easily beat Jurgen Borg.

A well taken corner kick by Floriana on the 19th minute was punched away by Reuben Gauci.

Trevor Cilia wasted a great opportunity on the 22nd minute. Alone against Gauci, he made a weak lob which Gauci easily saved. A minute later, a shot by Ryan Darmanin was saved by Gauci without difficulty.

Reuben Gauci made a fine save off an Aaron Brown's header following a free-kick from the left on the 32nd minute.

A shot by Jhonnattann Benites from an ideal position inside the box on the 34th minute was deflected by a defender into a corner.

Birkirkara were unlucky not to double the lead on the 37th minute when off a corner by Jhonnattann Benites, Nikola Vukanac's fine header was denied by the crossbar.

Birkirkara protested for a penalty on the 40th minute when Aaron Brown made a tough tackle which seemed to floor Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, but the referee waved play on.

Birkirkara protested for another penalty when Kane Farrugia handled the ball on the 40th minute. The Birkirkara supporters protested for a penalty but the referee decided it was outside the box. From the following freekick, Shola Shodiya sent the ball wide.

The first half ended with Birkirkara having a narrow 1-0 lead thanks to Jhonnattann Benites early goal.

The Second Half

In the half time interval, Ryan Camenzuli replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Sunday Waisu had his close range effort deflected into a corner following a bad outing from Reuben Gauci on the 47th minute. From the following corner, Reuben made a fine save from the delivering corner.

Ryan Camenzuli had his effort ending wide on the 51st minute following a corner kick from the right.

Birkirkara made them two on the 55th minute when Shola Shodiya served Paul Fenech who sent a perfect through ball to an unmarked Jhonnattann who advanced deep and beat Jurgen Borg with a low shot.

Sunday Waisu's header was saved by Reuben Gauci on the 59th minute and then cleared into safety.

Aaron Browns' freekick on the hour mark ended widely over.

Jhonnattann Benites and Ryan Camenzxuli combined well on the 63rd minute with the latter's shot ending wide.

In the first substitution for Floriana on the 64th minute, Valdo Alhino replaced Aman Verma.

Joseph Zerafa made a fine overlap on the 69th minute concluding with a fine shot which was turned into a corner kick. From the corner kick, Nikola Vukanac's header ended wide by inches.

In the second substitution for Birkirkara on the 70th minute, Rowen Muscat replaced Ryan Scicluna.

A low shot by Sunday Waisu was easily saved by Gauci on the 72nd minute.

Birkirkara made them three on the 74th minute following a wonderful free-kick by Jhonnattann Benites, who scored the hat trick goal.

Birkirkara continued to dominate and they had another opportunity to score on the 83rd minute. Jhonnattann Benites served Ryan Camenzuli who had his shot blocked and from the rebound a header ended over.

On the 84th minute Edward Herrera missed a great opportunity to make them four. Jhonnattann Benites served Edward Herrera who all alone against the goalkeeper saw his effort blocked by the goalkeeper.

Edward Herrera sent a fine low cross on the 85th minute but Shola Shodiya failed to hit from close range.

A cross from the left for Floriana was met with a Sunday Waisu's header which caused no danger to Gauci on the 86th minute.

Shola Shodiya could have made them four on the 87th minute, but he took too long to conclude. From the rebound, Jhonnattann Benites had his shot saved.

In the third and last substitution for Birkirkara, Shola Shodiya was replaced with Godwin McKay on the 87th minute. Godwin was making his debut with our Club.

A freekick for Floriana on the 91st minute was turned into a corner by Gauci.

The full time whistle found the Birkirkara supporters applauding the team for another brilliant performance as they extended their perfect streak to four matches.

Birkirkara will be involved in the fifth match of the League next Saturday against Sliema Wanderers.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Edward Herrera, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna (70' Rowen Muscat), Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (45' Ryan Camenzuli), Shola Shodiya (87' Godwin McKay).

FLORIANA: Jurgen Borg, Kane Farrugia, Aaron Brown, Owen Bugeja, Karl Tremarco, Trevor Cilia, Aman Verma (64' Valdo Alhino), Thomas Paris, Clyde Borg, Ryan Darmanin, Sunday Waisu.

Scorers: 10' Jhonnattann Benites, 55' Jhonnattann Benites, 74' Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).

Yellow Cards: 26' Aman Verma, 40' Aaron Brown (Floriana), 61' Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara).

Man of the match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).

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