TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0 FLORIANA 2

Floriana returned to winning ways against nine-man Tarxien Rainbows.

A tame opening had Jorge testing waters with a low shot that was well saved by Mintoff in the 11th minute. Tarxien’s methodical and controlled play were restricting the Greens into their own half but almost midway through the first period, A whipped free-kick by Muir’s free-kick was met by Joseph Borg whose headed eluded Nicholas Vella, the Tarxien goalkeeper only to see the ball finishing off the far post.

On the half hour mark, Jorge gave the illusion of goal as his free-kick flashed against the side-netting. The game remained tight with both team careful not giving away an inch to each other. In the 35th minute, the match produced its first defining moment when referee Glen Tonna awarded Floriana a penalty when Steve Pisani went down under the challenge of Manuel Caruana following an aerial duel in the Tarxien box. The Tarxien skipper was given his marching orders as Gary Muir sent Vella the wrong way.

But the signs at the start of the second half were hardly encourging for the Rainbows as substitute Lucas’s contribution to game only lasted eight minutes as he was sent off for retaliation. The referee did not hesitate to show him a straight red card following a tussle with Aguiar that developed after the Brazilian midfielder was fouled by the defender.

Floriana tried to step up their game. On the hour mark, Farrugia embarked on a mazy run on the right wing and his cross was met by Coronado whose effort ended just over the bar.

In the 78th minute, Mamo’s free-kick finished just wide. Hardly two minutes pass and Floriana all but sealed the issue, Breaking clear on the counter, Coronado delivered a perfect centre towards Diogo who tapped home at the near post.

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