FLORIANA 2
Varela 10, Ruiz 76

PEMBROKE ATHLETA 0

Floriana kept up their recent momentum, disposing of relegation-haunted Pembroke by two clear goals.

Pembroke had the ball in the net inside the first five minutes but Raphael Kooh Sohna had strayed in an offside position before stroking home. This made for a thrilling opening but it was Floriana who drew the first blood after 10 minutes.

Enzo Ruiz was the catalyst as his pass sifted through the Pembroke defence and into the path of Ignacio Varela who finished with aplomb over Matthew Calleja Cremona, the Pembroke goalkeeper.

Enzo Ruiz was the catalyst as his pass sifted through the Pembroke defence and into the path of Ignacio Varela who finished with aplomb over Matthew Calleja Cremona, the Pembroke goalkeeper.

Before half-time, Floriana had the ball in the net for a second time but Nicolas Chiesa’s flick was ruled out for offside as the Argentine midfielder had flashed in to meet a cross.

With Pembroke lacking the early spark to pose problems to Floriana after the break, the latter stayed in command without, however setting houses on fire.

Floriana increased their attacking endeavours as the match drifted into its final quarter with Varela raising his game. Iraklis Roppas did well to close down the Argentine striker who was running towards goal after nipping in to steal possession on Bugeja.

Moments later, the striker craftily freed himself from his marker with a backheel but shot low into the hands of Calleja Cremona. Floriana’s pressure increased. From a corner by Steve Pisani, the ball dropped to Nayar whose high-risker crashed against the crossbar after 66 minutes. Pembroke’s reprieve was temporary as Pisani swung in another dangerous cross this time from free-kick and Ruiz rose above his marker to head home.

From a corner by Steve Pisani, the ball dropped to Nayar whose high-risker crashed against the crossbar after 66 minutes. Pembroke’s reprieve was temporary as Pisani swung in another dangerous cross this time from free-kick and Ruiz rose above his marker to head home.

Nine minutes from time, Pembroke were reduced to 10 men after Bugeja was dismissed for a second booking following a foul on Antonio Monticelli.

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