Floriana seized control in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League as they strolled to a 3-0 victory over Balzan at the Hibs Stadium.

The Greens were in control from the outset.

On 19 minutes Amadou Samb picked Vito Plut with a fine backheel with the Slovenian immediately releasing Matteo Piciollo whose low shot was blocked by Steve Sultana.

A minute later Sultana charged out of his goal to anticipate the goalbound Plut but the Balzan goalkeeper mistimed his sortie and the Slovenia’s low shot was cleared off the line Arab.

Three minutes from the break, Floriana found the breakthrough.

It was Plut who made inroads on the left before he sent a teasing cross towards Piciollo whose dipping header had the better of Sultana.

Balzan tried to mount some sort of reaction at the start of the second half but they looked short of ideas and it was no surprise that Floriana doubled their lead on 51 minutes.

The goal came from a free-kick action when Pisani’s inswinger was met by Piciollo whose volley flew past Sultana.

Mifsud Triganza could have reopened the match on 56 minutes when the Balzan striker was put clear by Guerrero but his low shot lacked power to trouble Matthew Calleja Cremona.

But the game was all but killed off 14 minutes from time when from another Pisani free-kick the ball slid into the path of Conor Borg who beat Sultana with a shot on the turn.

Kaljevic almost handed Balzan a lifeline but his firm drive was cleared off the line by Clyde Borg as the Greens held on for a comfortable victory.

Floriana striker Matteo Piciollo was voted as the BOV Player of the match.