Floriana slows down Hibs

Floriana 0 Hibernians 0

Floriana did arch-rivals Valletta a big favour by slowing down Hibernians. Valletta now perch six points clear of the Paolities.

This result places pressure on both teams as they now know that there only realistic hope of silverware this season rests with the FA Trophy.

In a niggly first-half, Floriana thwarted Hibernians approach play with string tackling and admirable tactical discipline.

On the half hour mark, Bugeja saved the Greens from a potentially damaging situation as he effected a perfectly-timed tackle to nudge the ball away from the goalbound Edison.

The defender got a gash on his head and he came back on with a bandage, changing out his blood-stained shirt no 5.

Edward Herrera found space to get forward when Manolito Micallef vacated his right-side berth to replace temporarily Bugeja in the middle but Edison failed to connect properly with the delivery.

The new Dutch goalkeeper caught the eye with the confidence shown in collecting corners and crosses in the goal box. In the 38th minute, Cohen drove a low shot but the keeper managed to get a touch to the ball.

In next to no time, Jansen launched a long goal-kick forward. Ivan Woods got the flick-on, he wriggled free of Jonathan Pearson to fashion a chance from a tight angle but goalkeeper Mario Muscat rushed out and saved with his feet.

Just before half-time, Borg picked up the ball near the halfway line and launched a spectacular long range pass for Alandson who escaped from his marker and lofted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper but the ball bounced over the bar and finished on the top of the net.

There was not much in the way in the early stages of the second half and the game came alive only on the hour mark. Caruana's surging run unnerved Hibernians but the nippy striker shot straight into the hands of Muscat.

A minute later, Edison relied on his pace to beat Micallef to a long ball, as the ball fell nicely for the Brazilian to control on his chest before dispatching a right-foot volley just high to Jansen's left.

Few moments later, Caruana gave away possession cheaply in front of the Floriana rearguard but an exquisite interchange between Edison and Cohen culminated with the former losing his balance in front of Jansen and the chance went missing.

In the 71st minute, Mark Miller made a double substitution, bringing on Marcelo Dias and Jonathan Bezzina for Herrera and Vandelannoite.

On his part, Woods first replaced Mintoff with Cassar and later on introduced Ryan Darmanin and Grabowski in a bid to strengthen his forward line.

The Greens' substitutes brought renewed urgency to their game as the minutes ticked away. Micallef had an opportunity to open the score in the 78th minute when some good work from Doffo who worked his stocks off in midfield, allowed the defender-turned-winger to send a low shot which Muscat did well to push away.

Floriana goalkeeper Patrick Jansen was voted the BOV player of the match.