Floriana leave it late to beat Balzan

FLORIANA 3 BALZAN 1

Christian Caruana scored deep into the match as Floriana left it late to secure an unconvincing victory over Balzan today.

After 41 minutes, Floriana failed to deal with Balzan's dead-ball situations. And Kris William Bright took full advantage as he headed home Bernardes's corner unmarked in their box.

It served only to prompt a response from Floriana, though, and any hopes of Zammit's team of going into the break a goal up were wiped put immediately when Manolito Micallef equalised with what looked like a preventable goal.

Okonkwo's floated pass caught the Youths defence on the wrong foot as Micallef ghosted into the box, to beat Camilleri with a header despite Jonathan Francica's attempt to block.

It was Floriana who once again carried the momentum after the break and Caruana went close before they took the lead from the spot. However, the Balzan goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri instinctively tried to block his powerful header and was left pole-axed with the consequence of having to leave the pitch.

The Greens finally took the lead on the hour mark thanks to more good work from Micallef, who battled through the edge of the box and was clumsily brought down by Clifton Ciantar – and Ivan Woods stepped up to score and Floriana then started to dominate.

Four minutes from time, Caruana finally broke Balzan's brave resistance as he unlocked by a neat three-man move. Woods picked up the ball from Mintoff to feed the overlapping Caruana, who shot low into the corner.