Valletta and Floriana share the points as Birkirkara defeat Hamrun

Valletta and Floriana played to a 1-1 draw yesterday afternoon. This result leaves Valletta ahead of Hibernians by just two points and seven over Floriana in the Championship Pool.

Floriana managed to take the lead on the 11th minute. Off a cross by John Mintoff, Ivan Woods headed the ball in past goalkeeper Andrew Hogg to give his team the lead.

Valletta came close on the 17th minute when Roderick Briffa's powerful shot hit the woodwork.

In added time, Valletta managed to score the equalizer thanks to a perfect direct freekick by Ousseni Zongo.

Ousseni Zongo was voted BOV Player of the Match.

VALLETTA FC Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Saidou Mady Panandetiguiri (81′ William Barbosa), Aleksandars Cekulajevs (66′ Alfred Effiong), Ian Azzopardi, Roderick Briffa, Edmond Agius, Ousseni Zongo, Denni Rocha dos Santos, Michael Mifsud (59′ Gilbert Agius).
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Roderick Bajada, Terrence Scerri, Filippo Andrea Scozzese.
Coach: Leonard Farrugia
Asst. Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

FLORIANA FC Patrick Jansen, Ivan Woods (59′ Christian Caruana), Eric Akoto, Owen Bugeja, John Mintoff, Pablo Doffo, Manolito Micallef, Duncan Pisani, Joseph Borg, Alandson da Silva (63′ Andre Grabowski), Clyde Borg.
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Malcolm Licari, Thomas Paris, Onome Sodje, Ryan Darmanin.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Frank Schembri

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Mariano Debono, Duncan Sultana
Fourth Official: Chris Lautier
Yellow Cards: Panadetiguiri, Woods, Effiong, Akoto, S. Borg, Grabowski
Scorers: 11′ Ivan Woods (F); 45 2′ Ousseni Zongo (V)

In the other match of the day, Birkirkara defeated Hamrun Spartans 3-1. This result leaves Birkirkara in the Championship Pool level with Sliema on 18 points while Hamrun, will be playing in the Relegation Pool.

Birkirkara took the lead early in the match. After just seven minutes of play Shaun Bajada found Jorge Santos Silva with his pass to have the latter dribble the ball past goalkeeper Omar Borg before placing in the net.

On the 37th minute, Birkirkara made it 2-0. Shaun Bajada served Shola Haruna Shodiya who scored from close range.

On the 66th minute, Hamrun were back in the game after they reduced the gap. Off a cross by Dene Shields, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro headed the ball in past goalkeeper Reuben Gauci.

Birkirkara regained their two goal lead on the 75th minute when Jorge Santos Silva scored from close range.

Jorge Santos Silva was voted BOV Player of the Match.

BIRKIRKARA FC Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Shaun Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva (92′ McAllister Clinch), Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Angus Buhagiar, Shola Haruna Shodiya (79′ Rowen Muscat), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (62′ Moises Avila Perez).
Subs not used: Karl Magri, Ryan Camenzuli, Fabian Zammit, Michael Camilleri.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino

HAMRUN SPARTANS Omar Borg, Gianluca Calabretta (67′ Glen Azzopardi), Matthew Gauci, Ronni Hartvig, Massimo Grima, Rupert Mangion (74′ David Camilleri), Daniel Zerafa, Gaetan Spiteri (79′ Ryan Spiteri), Dene Shields, Kevin Sammut, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Luke Grech, Diego Cucciardi, Steve Bonnici.
Coach: Stefan Sultana

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Joe Camilleri
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: Zerafa