Floriana struggle to break down Gzira resistance

Up to the late 1970s Floriana always had a player whose leadership inspired the team to seek new peaks to conquer.

During the golden days of the Mile End era, they had Ruggieru Friggieri. In the 1920s and 1930s they relied on Salvu Tabone and Baskal Scicluna and in the 1940-50s the team was kept going by such men as Leli Zammit, Victor Farrugia, Tony Vella and Freddie Vella James.

Then, during the last years of the Empire Stadium, the team was marshalled by that bundle of energy, Willie Vassallo.

Vassallo was undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best Maltese player to come out of the 1970s. He was a hard-working midfielder much in the mode of England international Paul Scholes.

Personally, I have never seen a better leader. Vassallo's non-stop running in midfield usually gave Floriana the edge in that most important part of the field. His passing was impeccable and the way he came from behind to score goals keep reminding me of the great Manchester United star Scholes.

Between 1966 and 1977, Vassallo led Floriana on their quest to win all honours in the local football calendar.

Always the centre of attraction, he urged his team-mates to even greater efforts. Nineteen major honours are testimony of his skills and, above all, his leadership qualities.

Vassallo played many fine games for Floriana but one that stands out in my memory was the 1973 Sons of Malta Cup final against Gzira United.

He probably played many finer games in his illustrious career but that one stands out because it brought out to the full his leadership skills.

Floriana dominated this game from start to finish but as is nearly always the case in such situations, they failed to turn their superiority into goals.

It was here that Vassallo's indomitable spirit stood out.

Xuereb double

Urging his men forward, he kept them going until, at last, the deadlock was broken with two late Ray Xuereb goals.

After more or less an even first period, Floriana applied the pressure in the second half and kept up the impetus until they got their just reward in the 80th minute when Xuereb converted a penalty.

Five minutes later the same player sealed the issue with another well-taken goal. Yet, how close Floriana came to losing that match. A slice of luck and Gzira would have won a game which they did not deserve to.

In their handful of attacks, the Maroons had two glaring scoring chances, but luckily for Floriana, they frittered them away.

Floriana made all the early running, but their half-hearted attacks were well dealt with by the strong Gzira defence in which Caruana and Zammit dominated.

However, Vassallo's running all over the place was proving a handful to the underdogs and it seemed to be only a matter of time before the Greens opened the score.

Despite Floriana's superiority, Gzira also had their moments. In the 25th minute Vidal tricked Holland and shot hard at goal. The ball whizzed over the bar.

Then, four minutes later, A. Vassallo dribbled past Holland and Farrugia before unleashing a bombshell which rocked the crossbar.

Gzira's best chance, however, came just before the interval. Schembri won the ball. He took one quick look before crossing perfectly to the onrushing Caruana who with the goal at his mercy headed wide from four yards out.

In the second period, Floriana brought in Powie Micallef in place of Debattista. Urged on by Vassallo, they pressed hard for an opening goal. One attack followed the other as the Gzira defence was forced ever more backwards.

Then, when the Greens started to get desperate they finally managed to open the score.

Zammit, who had hardly put a foot wrong, pulled down George Xuereb in the area and referee Ritchie Casha did not hesitate to point to the spot.

Ray Xuereb took the kick and scored with a well-placed shot.

Gzira now went all out to save the game but four minutes later Ray Xuereb streaked through the Maroons defence and shot through and low past Sultana to seal his side's victory.

After the match, Malta FA president Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici presented the trophy to Vassallo, by far the best player on show on that warm November afternoon of 1973.

For the record

November 1, 1973 - Empire Stadium
Sons of Malta Cup final
Floriana vs Gzira United 2-0
Floriana: E. Farrugia, G. Ciantar, E. Farrugia, J. Holland, R. Balani, Debattista (P. Micallef), T. Vassallo, W. Vassallo, G. Xuereb, R. Xuereb, S. Bonello.

Gzira United: M. Sultana, Borg, Bartolo, Caruana, Zammit, Cristiano, Bonello (Stride), G. Cuschieri, Vidal, R. Schembri, A. Vassallo.
Scorer: R. Xuereb (2).
Referee: Ritchie Casha.