NAXXAR LIONS 0 FLORIANA 2

Chasing victory to secure their top-flight status, Floriana overcame a stubborn Naxxar Lions side to secure their premier league status.

Victory for Floriana have put Naxxar in more relegation trouble, now favourites to follow Rabat the relegation trap door after being leapfrogged by Vittoriosa Stars.

Inside the first three minutes, Naxxar protested for a penalty when Vignjevic slumped on the turf after being challenged by Clyde Borg but referee Chris Lautier waved play on.

On the other side, three minutes later, Diogo made a mazy run, going infield from the left before unleashing an angled drive that whizzed past the far post.

Floriana enjoyed an almighty scare shy the quarter of hour mark, when Martines looked certain to score as he hit a swerving shot over Sean Mintoff, the Greens goalkeeper but his effort grazed the far post.

On the half hour mark, Diogo’s low free-kick was stopped by the young Pecorella’s outstretched hands. Creative football was at a premium for much of the remaining 15 minutes with Floriana failing to translate their early superiority into clear-cut openings.

Ten minutes into the second half, Floriana had the ball in the net when Clyde Borg tapped home following a free-kick by Diogo but the assistant referee had raised his flag to signal an offiside infringement.

Floriana did not have to wait long to score, as three minutes later, latching on to a fine pass from Diogo. Emeka applied a deft touch to the ball to make it 1-0.

Naxxar tried to bounce back and Falzon’s surge into the box was halted by the sliding Andre Scicluna, prompting Lautier to order a penalty past the hour mark. Falzon picked himself up, to assume responsabilty for the penalty but his tame shot was saved by Mintoff.

The Lions were on the backfoot again when Caruana made headway on the left before sending his flick his wide off the far post. This turned out to be the preamble to Floriana’s double. Caruana ran menacingly on the right flank before swinging in a cross in the box where Diogo was on hand to poke home.

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