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Fontanella’s late strike sends Floriana fourth

Published: 19-03-2017 08:45
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The tit-for-tat battle between Floriana and Birkirkara for a top-four finish produced another twist this weekend. A late goal by Mario Fontanella enabled Floriana to leapfrog Birkirkara after the latter could only manage a 1-1 draw against Sliema Wanderers in Saturday’s second BOV Premier League match at the National Stadium. Fontanella struck two minutes from time to hand the Greens a timely boost following their 2-0 defeat to Balzan the weekend before while Tarxien Rainbows slipped to their fifth successive defeat. The Rainbows have now gone seven matches without a win but remain in a comfortable mid-table position, one point ahead of Gżira United, Ħamrun Spartans and St. Andrews and 13 clear of the danger zone. Birkirkara failed to break the Sliema Wanderers jinx after being held to a 1-1 draw. The Blues thus maintained their unbeaten record against Birkirkara this season after winning the previous two league games 2-1. The Stripes, who were coming from a 3-0 victory over Ħamrun Spartans in their previous outing, slipped back to fifth place, one behind Floriana. All the action took place in the opening 20 minutes. Miguel Angel Alba put the Stripes ahead in the 11th minute but Denni Rocha dos Santos restored equilibrium seven minutes later.