Jhonnattann scores two in Stripes' win

BOV-Premier-LeagueBirkirkara kept the pace with leaders Hibernians and second-placed Valletta as two goals by Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao paved the way for a 3-1 win over Floriana.

The Stripes are now three points behind the Paolites and one behind the Citizens while Floriana remain second from bottom on six points.

Gareth Sciberras was missing once again for Birkirkara while Floriana could not count on Sunday Eboh and the suspended Emmanuel Ibok Edet and Gary Roberts.

Birkirkara took just four minutes to forge ahead when Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao received a good pass by Shola Shodiya, beating Daniel Hanford with a diagonal shot from the right.

Jhonnattann went close once again on 35 minutes with a powerful shot from inside the area which was blocked by the Floriana goalkeeper.

One minute in the second half, Jhonnattann concluded a good run on the right flank with a diagonal shot ending just wide.

On the 55th, Birkirkara went close to adding another goal with a Matheus Bissi da Silva header but in a swift counter-attack, Floriana reduced the gap as Igor Coronado concluded a fine run on the right with a powerful shot whcih gave Justin Haber no chance.

Substitute Frank Temile made it 3-1 on 73 minutes, heading the ball home off a Jhonnattann corner from the right.

Six minutes later, substitute Kurt Zammit hit the crossbar off an inviting cross by Temile from the left. On the other side of the pitch, substitute Diogo Pinehiro de Sousa had a powerful rising shot turned into a corner by Justin Haber when served by Christian Caruana. Igor Coronado then concluded a fine solo effort with a low shot which was turned into another corner by the Birkirkara custodian.

FLORIANA Daniel Hanford, Steve Pisani, Christian Caruana (84′ Luca Casha), Igor Coronado, Clyde Borg, Joseph Borg, Brooke Farrugia (46′ Giacomo Favero), Francesco Guzman (46′ Diogo Pinheiro de Souza), Andre Scicluna, Gary Muir, Sacha Borg.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Luke Micallef, Jonathan Xerri, Glenn Tabone.
Coach: Ian Dawes

B’KARA Justin Haber, Matheus Bissi da Silva, Alejandro Mendoza, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, Ryan Scicluna (64′ Daniel Zerafa), Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Haruna Shola Shodiya (78′ Kurt Zammit), Terence Vella (64′ Frank Temile), Zach Muscat.
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Camenzuli, Demba Toure, Edward Herrera.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Thomas Debono
Additional Assistant Referees: Kevin Azzopardi, Glenn Tonna
Fourth Official: Duncan Sultana
Yellow Cards: J. Borg, R. Scicluna, G. Favero
BOV Player of the Match: Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao
Scorers: 5′ Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, 41′ Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, 55′ Igor Coronado, 73′ Frank Temile
Attendance: 872