FLORIANA 1 TARXIEN RAINBOWS 1

While Floriana were the more enterprising side in the first half, Tarxien rose to the challenge after the break.

With the forceful wind blowing behind their backs, Floriana ran the show in the opening half.

Hardly eight minutes from the start had elapsed when Steve Pisani had a chance to put Floriana ahead but shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Floriana then came agonisingly close to taking the lead after 26 minutes when Marcelina rose to meet Pisani’s fine corner but his downward header was cleared off the line by Alex Cini.

But having failed to heed that warning, Tarxien fell behind past the hour mark. The modus operandi was the same as Pisani’s corner soared towards the far side of the Rainbows’ box and Picollo scored with a header into the top corner.

Tarxien’s first-half display did not merit a goal, but they found the net soon after the break when Yepes’s cross from the right fell into the ball of Obinna Darlington who hit a crisp first-time volley that flashed into the top corner.

Tarxien went for broke now. Yepes threatened to put Mizzi’s team in front after 66 minutes but fired over the bar. Six minutes later, Tarxien was thwarted by Calleja Cremona who repelled an effort by Darlington.

After that promising start, Floriana faded badly with their midfield trio of Emanuel Briffa, Pisani and Clyde Borg showing little understanding between them.

Yet, seven minutes from time, they could have won it at death but Picciollo headed over from Pisani’s set-piece.