Floriana 1
Plut 17;
Naxxar Lions 1
Gueye 60 pen;

When Gilmar failed to put away his penalty past the half hour, Naxxar will probably have feared the worst as by that time, Floriana were leading courtesy of Vito Plut’s clever flick.

But to their credit, the Lions regrouped to equalise and despite finishing with one man down, they held off Floriana’s late confused efforts to settle for a point, albeit they are still in search of their first win after six matches.

Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco reshuffled his team from the 3-3 draw against Żebbuġ Rangers, making no fewer than three changes.

Douglas Felipe replaced Steve Bonnici, out due to suspension, while Steve Pisani and Amadou Samb were preferred to Gary Muir and Emerson Marcelina respectively.

Winston Muscat’s starting XI also showed three changes from the 2-1 loss to Tarxien, as Daren Falzon was preferred to Victor Bellia, Angus Buhagiar replaced Ryan Cassar and Pablo Doffo was drafted back into the first team at the expense of Uchienna Eminike.

Before kick-off, Naxxar Lions midfielder Bellia was presented with a memento on the occasion of his 200th league appearance in the Premier League.

Naxxar pressed forward from the off.

After eight minutes, Gilmar went close with a curling shot that finished off target.

But Floriana produced the breakthrough on 17 minutes.

Samb delivered a teasing cross from the right and Plut arrowed a perfect flick past a helpless Julian Azzopardi and into the top corner of the net.

Naxxar’s response arrived past the half hour mark, Gilmar’s free-kick flew into the defensive wall and appeared to come off the hand of Clyde Borg.

Referee Mario Apap imme-diately pointed to the spot but Gilmar saw his spot-kick blocked by Valerio Senatore.

Floriana let out a sigh of relief but their reprieve was temporary.

In fact, fourteen minutes after the break, Naxxar were awarded another penalty when Terence Vella’s surge into the box was halted illegaly by Emanuel Briffa.

This time, Pape Gueye, assumed responsibility for the penalty. Unperturbed by that early penalty miss, the striker despatched his shot past Senatore to level matters.

Floriana tried to bounce back but Plut’s piledriver from the distance hit the crossbar.

In the 69th minute, Naxxar were reduced to 10 men when Angus Buhagiar received his marching orders, presumably for hitting an opponent in an off-the-ball incident.

Floriana failed to dish out instant punishment on their opponents, though.

Scoring chances were few and far between but Naxxar, showing plenty of grit, easily held off Floriana’s confused efforts much to the frustration of the Greens fans.

Floriana
V. Senatore-6.5, A. Scicluna-6, C. Borg-5, S. Pisani-5, V. Plut-6.5 (89 G. Galea), A. Samb-6.5 (57 E.Marcelina), M. Piciollo-6, E.Briffa-5, B. Farrugia-6.5, D. Felipe-6.5, S. Borg-(28 N. Spiteri-6).

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6, A. Scicluna-5, I. Edet-6, D. Falzon-6 (76 U. Eminike), T. Vella-6 (90 R. Cassar), M. Del Negro-5.5, P. Gueye-6, Gilmar-6, A. Buhagiar, D. Reano-6, P. Doffo-6.5 (70 V. Bellia-5).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Andrew Scicluna, Samb, Andre’ Scicluna, Buhagiar, Del Negro, Piciollo.

Red card: Buhagiar (N) 69.

Missed penalty: Gilmar (N) 33.

BOV player of the match: Vito Plut (Floriana).

Attendance: 852.

Standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Hibernians 6 6 0 0 17 4 18
Mosta 5 4 1 0 6 1 13
Birkirkara 5 4 0 1 11 4 12
Balzan 6 4 1 1 13 9 12
Valletta 6 3 1 2 12 3 10
Tarxien R. 6 1 4 1 8 8 7
Floriana 6 1 3 2 8 11 6
Qormi 6 1 1 4 3 10 4
Naxxar L. 6 0 3 3 4 7 3
Sliema W.  5 0 3 2 3 10 3
Żebbuġ R.  6 0 2 4 8 20 2
Pietà H. 5 0 1 4 3 9 1

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