Floriana 2
Darmanin 28, Coronado 60;
Melita 0
Floriana eased their way into the fourth round of the U*Bet FA Trophy as they scored a goal in each half to see off fellow Premier League side Melita at the Ħamrun ground, yesterday.
There were never any doubts on who would progress to the next round as the Greens held control right from the outset with the Amateurs struggling to create any decent scoring chances.
Ryan Darmanin and Brazilian midfielder Igor Coronado grabbed the all-important goals for an efficient Floriana team that will be looking for a good run in the cup competition to make up for a rather disappointing showing in the league so far.
Melita coach Patxi Salinas welcomed back in the fray Serbian winger Jovan Vukanic and Spanish striker Jose Luis Armaro Negrin who had missed their team’s goalless draw against Rabat Ajax last week.
Floriana, on their part, kept faith with the players that started to 2-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans as the returning Tyrone Farrugia had to settle for a place on the bench.
Melita created the first opportunity after 15 minutes when from a Julian Galea corner, George Gribbon’s firm header was blocked by Tony Warner, the Floriana goalkeeper.
Three minutes later, Trevor Cilia should have put the Greens ahead when he stormed inside the area but his low drive was blocked by the onrushing Karl Zahra, the Melita goalkeeper.
The Greens were gradually growing in stature and they managed to take the lead on 28 minutes when Ryan Darmanin beat Melita’s offside trap and curled the ball past Zahra to the delight of his team’s fans.
Floriana almost doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Aman Verma’s inswinger flashed across the box with Zahra just managing to keep out of the ball before the Melita defence cleared.
After the restart, Melita tried to save the match and Floriana coach Stephen Azzopardi looked to add more cover when he withdrew Cilia and roped in Thomas Paris.
However, any hopes Melita had to get back in it were all but extinguished on the hour mark when Mark Spiteri picked Ivan Coronado who burst into the area before unleashing a powerful drive that gave no chance to Zahra.
Matthew Borg could have handed a lifeline to the Amateurs on 68 minutes but fired over from a good position.
Floriana should have killed off their opponents on 80 minutes when in a quick break Coronado released Spiteri who with only Zahra to beat saw his shot repelled by the Melita keeper.
Floriana
T. Warner, D. Pisani, H. Celestino, K. Farrugia, S. Borg (67 T. Farrugia), A. Verma, T. Cilia (57 T. Paris), C. Borg, M. Spiteri, I. Coronado, R. Darmanin.
Melita
K. Zahra, J. Vukanic, R. Alhinho, G. Gribbon, M. Sierra Camacho, M. Borg, M. Valenzia (63 V. Ringrose), A. Caruana Scicluna (71 L. Micallef), N. Rizzo, J. Galea, J.L. Negrin.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.