MELITA-1, FLORIANA-2
Floriana gained their first win under Iain Brunskill after edging Melita 2-1 in their opening Relegation Pool match at the Tedesco Stadium.
The Greens looked to be cruising to an easy win after goals by Igor Coronado and Udo Nwoko but Julian Galea's 80th minute goal for Melita set up a tense finale as the Amateurs pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Floriana held on to obtain their first win in eight games and ease their relegation worries.
The first chance of the game fell Melita's way after six minutes. Luke Micallef made a good run on the right before picking out the returning Julian Galea who mishit his volley.
Floriana began to enjoy more possession as the first half moved on. Brooke Farrugia blasted high and wide from the edge of the box.
The Greens' early pressure paid off on 27 minutes when Coronado, latching on to Clyde Borg's inviting pass, raced into the box and slotted past Guillermo Garcia, the Melita goalkeeper.
At the other end, Daniel Cabanillas, Melita's Spanish forward, was high and wide with a free-kick.
Six minutes before half-time, Floriana had a good chance to increase their lead when Owen Bugeja released the overlapping Carl Tremarco but the latter mishit his cross-shot from inside the box.
Early in the second half, Garcia did well to push away a Pisani cross.
Constructive football was conspicuous by its absence in the opening 20 minutes of the second half before Floriana deservedly increased their lead.
Farrugia entered the box before laying the ball back to Nwoko whose curling shot gave Garcia no chance.
Melita looked down and out but they were nearly handed a boost when Kane Farrugia's mishit backpass ended just wide of the near post.
The Amateurs pulled one back 10 minutes from time, Julian Galea flicking home from close in after George Gribbon had nodded the ball in his captain's path.
Floriana came close to regaining their two-goal lead but Garcia pushed away Nwoko's curler.
Melita threatened an equaliser when Cabanillas blasted wide after meeting Galea's cross.
Coronado, the Floriana winger, was voted BOV player of the match.