At last, one for Floriana

The late 40s saw the start of perhaps the brightest era in the history of Floriana FC.

The Ajax, then wearing the colours of Floriana FC, reached their peak between 1949 and 1953 when they won the league title four years in succession, completing two triple crowns in the process.

In four glorious seasons, Floriana also won the FA Trophy twice and the Cassar Cup three times.

No wonder then that those who saw the Ajax play claim that they were the greatest Maltese team of all time. Yet, without disputing the validity of this observation, one is forced to point out that there was one trophy Floriana failed to win in that period - the Scicluna Cup.

Started in 1949-50 as the equivalent of the modern-day Super Cup, the competition was won nine times in a row by Sliema Wanderers. Such was the Blues' dominance in the Scicluna Cup that it was nicknamed the Sliema Cup.

Beaten finalists five times, the nearest Floriana had come to winning the Scicluna Cup outright was in 1958-59 when, following a 1-1 draw, the honour was shared for six months each by the two finalists.

Then, in 1960-61, the Greens reached their sixth final but once again they were soundly beaten 3-0, this time by fiercest rivals Valletta.

It seemed that Floriana would never win the elusive trophy but then they finally made it when they beat Hibernians 2-1 in the 1961-62 final.

However, old-timers from Paola will tell you that Floriana should never have won it. Hibs, the reigning league champions, had an uncharacteristic off day.

In the first half, particularly, they looked tired and jaded. Their defence was very unsteady allowing Floriana to score twice.

Both goals were described as gifts but in football all that matters is that the ball goes over the fatal line.

The first goal came after only six minutes. Andrew Ellul made the mistake of his life when instead of clearing upfield, he passed tamely to the left where Pullu Demanuele was waiting eagerly. The Greens' winger released the unmarked Bennetti who, after moving a few paces forward, shot into the net.

Heartened by this early goal, Floriana kept up the pressure and after Billy Dalli missed a sitter, the same player raced past Leli Attard before placing the ball beyond Lolly Rizzo's reach.

The rest of the first half continued more or less on the same lines but in the second period things changed completely. Two goals down and with nothing to lose, Hibs threw caution to the wind and came out fighting.

Fabri, between the Greens' posts, was kept busy as Hibs opened a full barrage on his fort.

Bad luck, however, dogged Hibs as first Charlie Schembri saw his shot blocked over the line by the extended foot of Lolly Debattista, and then Frans Xuereb's hard drive was saved in the nick of time by Fabri.

At this point of the game, Hibernians were attacking in full swing and even full-back Johnnie Privitera went up with his team-mates in an attempt to pull a goal back.

On one occasion he nearly succeeded when he drove the ball against the bar.

Hibs' efforts did produce a goal. Xuereb received the ball from a throw-in and crossed. For once, Freddie Church found himself unmarked in the penalty area. Rising high, he headed in past the helpless Fabri.

With their lead cut by half, many expected Floriana to defend with what they had but instead they went forward in an attempt to restore their two-goal advantage.

On the other hand, Hibs' expected assault never materialised and for the rest of the game Floriana dictated the exchanges.

It looked as if Hibs had no energy left for a last fling and they could barely cover the widening gaps in their defence in the final stages of the game.

The final whistle found Floriana still leading 2-1 and winners of the Scicluna Cup for the first time in their history.

For the record...

Scicluna Cup - January 15, 1962, Empire Stadium, Gzira

Floriana vs Hibernians 2-1
Floriana: Fabri, L. Debattista, Farrugia, L. Borg, E. Azzopardi, F. Vella James, Sultana, B. Dalli, T. Cauchi, Bennetti, P. Demanuele.
Hibernians: L. Rizzo, J. Privitera, A. Ellul, L. Theobald, L. Attard, E. Theobald, F. Church, Am. Ellul, J. Mizzi, L. Sultana, C. Schembri.

Referee: Ritchie Casha.

Scorers: Bennetti, Dalli (Floriana); Church (Hibs).