Unflappable Woods fuels Floriana’s optimism

Ivan Woods may be in the home straight of his career but his showings of late have gone some way towards vindicating Floriana’s decision to sign the veteran forward from Sliema Wanderers last summer.

Emboldened by his brace in Floriana’s 3-0 victory over Lija Athletic in a first-round match from the U*Bet FA Trophy, Woods extended his scoring run when hitting the winner in his side’s 1-0 win in the Old Firm derby.

Restored to his preferred striker’s role, Woods showed great composure as he dispatched a curling drive past Viktor Szentpeteri, Sliema’s Hungarian goalkeeper, after just five minutes of Saturday’s clash at the Hibs Stadium.

Woods’s well-taken inswinger had multiple ramifications as, in addition to strengthening Floriana’s quest for a top-six finish and their confidence ahead of Saturday’s derby against bitter rivals Valletta, it heaped further pressure on Sliema, his former club.

“I was pleased with my performances for Floriana at the start of the season,” Woods told The Times.

“I did well in our win over Birkirkara where I was also voted player of the match but my performances in the next three games were somewhat below par.

“Then, there was a notable improvement in my game in the last two outings and I feel like I’m rediscovering my best form.

“Coming in a new environment, it does take a while to become familiar with your new team-mates and the people who run the club.

“In Malta, it’s perhaps easier to settle in a new team because everyone knows each other but it’s a question of confidence. Once you start to play well, your confidence grows and things become much easier.”

Having been appointed captain of Sliema Wanderers, Woods was one of the most respected players in the Blues’ camp, a point-of-reference for the up-and-coming youngsters. Inevitably, the general reaction to his switch to Floriana was one of surprise but Woods was keen to point out that he had not requested the move.

“The decision to leave Sliema was not mine,” Woods said.

“I was the captain of the team and my rapport with the players was one of mutual respect.

“I was happy there. Towards the end of August, the Sliema Wanderers president (Steve Abela) called me for a meeting. He informed me that the club had decided to transfer me for financial reasons.

“I went to speak to Johan Said, the president of Floriana, who came across as an ambitious person. Given that I had two years remaining on my deal with Sliema, I could have opted to stay but once the club had signalled their readiness to let me go, I made up my mind to change club.

“Said outlined his plans to take Floriana forward. The club had just elected a new committee and the president backed his words by investing in new players. After talking to Said, I felt more at ease about joining Floriana but it was a massive wrench to leave Sliema after all those years.”

His transfer to Floriana in the closing stages of the August transfer window capped an eventful month for Woods following the birth of his third daughter, Kailyn, in the last week of July.

Goal celebration

Woods was understandably elated after scoring Floriana’s winner against his former team on Saturday but he explained that his goal celebration was not intended to upset the Sliema fans.

“There have been stories that I celebrated my goal in front of the Sliema fans but that was not the case,” Woods said.

“The TV footage clearly showed that I ran towards the Floriana fans after I scored. The last thing I want is to tarnish my good relationship with the Sliema supporters whom I went to salute before the start of Saturday’s match.”

Although the manner of his departure from Sliema still rankles with Woods, it reinforced his determination to make his mark at Floriana.

“In football, you’re only as good as your last match,” Woods said.

“You have to show your worth in every game and that’s what I always try to do. From the moment I completed my move to Floriana, I’ve been determined to show that I deserve to play for this club.

“There’s pressure from within… I’m keen to live up to my reputation.”

The Malta international, who has inked a two-year contract with Floriana, is aware that Saturday’s derby with Valletta means a lot to the fans but he stressed that every game is important.

“My wife being from Floriana, I know everything about their rivalry with Valletta,” Woods, who had a spell with the Citizens in the early years of his career, said.

“But, every game is important, especially this season because the teams are so close to each other.

“To win against Valletta would be a huge feat, a big boost for the fans but we know it’s going to be a difficult game. Valletta start as favourites but we will be giving our all to obtain a good result.”

At 33, Woods will likely spend the rest of his career with Floriana but his exit from Sliema taught him not to think too far ahead.

“Floriana will probably be my last club but you never know what’s around the corner,” Woods said.

“Up to a few months ago, I thought that I would end my career with Sliema Wanderers but it was not to be.”

Premier League statistics

Scorers, red cards

Birkirkara: Lattes 4; Vella 3, Galea 3 (1 pen); Cilia 2; Fenech, Vukanac.
Floriana: Woods 2 (1 pen.), Mecerod 2; Dzhorov, Darmanin, Caruana.
Ħamrun Spartans: Pereira 4; Shields 3; Grima 2, Anizoba 2, Spiteri 2; Mangion.
Red cards: Hrubsa (vs Floriana), Bonnici (vs Floriana).
Hibernians: McManus 4; Cohen 3 (1 pen); Caruana, Clarke, Herrera, Farrugia.
Red card: Pulis (vs Ħamrun Spartans).
Marsaxlokk: Effiong 7; Temple-man 2; Alcorse penalty, Koka-vessis.
Red card: Alcorse (vs Valletta).
Qormi: Mallia 3; Bjedov, J. Far-rugia, Frendo, Bello Osagie.
Sliema Wanderers: Mifsud Triganza 3; Obiefule 2; Lima.
Red cards: Mintoff (vs Birkirkara); B. Muscat (vs Vittoriosa).
Tarxien Rainbows: Sergio 3, Ricardo Costa 3; Cristiano 2 (1 pen), Bueno 2. Own goal: Pearson (vs Hibernians).
Valletta: Scerri 6 (2 pens); Sammut 4; Falzon 2, Pace 2, Denni 2 (1 pen); Zammit, G. Agius, E. Agius.
Vittoriosa Stars: Ewurum 3; Santos Silva 2. Own goal: Gauci (vs Hibernians).
Red cards: Campagnoli (vs Valletta); Tarabay (vs Birkirkara).

Next fixtures
Friday: (Tedesco Stadium) 7.30 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Vittoriosa.
Saturday: (National Stadium) 2 p.m. Hibs vs Sliema Wanderers; 4 p.m. Valletta vs Floriana.
Sunday: (Hibs Stadium) 2 p.m. Mar-saxlokk vs Qormi; 4 p.m. Birkirkara vs Tarxien Rainbows.