PIETÀ HOTSPURS-1, FLORIANA-3
Floriana came back from a goal down to beat Pietà Hotspurs 3-1 and claim their first win of the season.
Matteo Piciollo inspired the Greens' comeback as the Italian striker scored a quickfire brace after coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half to knock the right of the Hotspurs who had been the more organised team in the first half.
A disappointing first half ended with Pietà Hotspurs 1-0 ahead as Floriana struggled to get going.
Valerio Senatore, the Floriana goalkeeper, blocked a low shot from Brazilian Rafael Xavier in the early stages.
The Italian was prominent again when stopping a close-range effort from Jurgen Pisani but the Hotspurs took the lead on 32 minutes.
Latching on to a long ball, Xavier advanced before curling the ball past Senatore.
The stuttering Greens created their first and only chance of the first half on 38 minutes but Vito Plut's low strike was saved by David Cassar.
Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco effected a double change at half-time, bringing on Matteo Piciollo and Emanuel Briffa for Emerson Marcelina and Joseph Borg respectively.
Piciollo made an instant impact as he brought Floriana level with a perfectly-struck shot from outside the penalty area.
Floriana should have taken the lead when Douglas Felipe's corner landed in front of Steve Bonnici inside the box but the defender's effort rolled against the base of the post.
Pietà were relieved but not for long. Thirteen minutes into the second half, debutant Amadou Samb raced into the box but his shot was kept out by Cassar only for Piciollo to drive the loose ball home.
The Italian nearly grabbed a hat-trick but his first-timer from Plut's pass was inches wide.
Midway into the second half, Floriana went 3-1 up, Samb heading home from Clyde Borg's corner.
Three goals in 17 minutes left Pietà's in a state of confusion.
They had to wait until 19 minutes from the end of regulation time to create a scoring chance as Xavier set up substitute Luke Micallef but his drive came off the side-netting. Frances did likewise from a free-kick.
The Hotspurs produced a late reaction., Micallef went close again on the stroke of time but his drive was diverted away for a corner.
Piciollo was named BOV player of the match.