I honestly don’t remember a more thrilling encounter than that played by Floriana and Marsa on January 27, 1974.

Judging by the positions which the two teams occupied in the league table, one expected the contest to be another run-of-the-mill affair in which third-placed Floriana would easily beat relegation-haunted Marsa.

At first, the predictions seemed correct. In fact, after 13 minutes, Floriana were already 2-0 up. They seemed confident to coast along to the end. However, they should have heeded to the signs because before they opened the score Marsa could have taken the lead.

The game was only a couple of minutes old when Reggie Portelli was about to plant the ball in the net when the goalkeeper pulled him by the leg. Portelli lost his balance but did not fall and he shot out.

Referee Azzopardi chose to apply the advantage rule but it would have been fairer if he had awarded Marsa a penalty.

Floriana breathed easier after that let-off. They took the upper hand and ‘Tichy’ Grech headed in a perfect cross from Salvu Bonello. Two minutes later the score became 2-0 when Bonello flicked the ball sideways for Louis Arpa to blast home first-time.

It was now Marsa’s turn to take the initiative. Five minutes later a Charlie Brincat free-kick was headed by Portelli to Peter Langridge who scored from routine range.

On 32 minutes, a short free-kick by Pugh to George Faure saw the latter shooting from outside the penalty area. Tedesco went down for the ball but failed to hold leaving Langridge in a perfect position to finish off.

This was sensational stuff but there was still more to come.

Barely three minutes had gone by when the Red-Blues forged into the lead. The Greens supporters just could not believe their eyes.

There was now an edgy look about Floriana. It took them a long time to find their feet but in the second period they looked more relaxed and determined.

However, it was Marsa who increased their lead to 4-2 when Charlie Brincat shot low into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.

Two minutes later, John Holland went up with his forwards to head past Mifsud and put his team back in the hunt. A few minutes later Willie Vassallo had the equaliser in his pocket but hit badly from an ideal position.

However, two minutes later a Xuereb header beat the goalkeeper but Cassar punched clear on the line. It was a clear-cut penalty which Arpa promptly converted.

With the score standing at 4-4 Anton Camilleri guided a perfect free-kick to Arpa who neatly chested the ball before placing his shot into the net.

It looked to be all over but more drama was in store when Floriana’s reserve keeper Farrugia injured his arm and had to leave the field.

Since Floriana had used all their substitutes, his place was taken by centre-half Holland.

That was the third time that season that Holland had to don the no.1 jersey. He had done so in a European Cup tie in Bruges and in the league against Valletta.

The minutes ticked away and the game seemed to be finally going Floriana’s way. However, five minutes from time a Greens’ defender handled in the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Brincat took the kick and scored to make the final score 5-5.