FLORIANA 2
Piciollo 50 K. Micallef og 76
PIETA' HOTSPURS 0

After a goalless first half, during which the Hotspurs’ rearguard held tight to frustrate the Floriana forwards with some stout defending, the Greens breached their opponents’ resistance early in the second half and from then on they never looked back despite playing the final 30 minutes with one man down, to ease home to a comfortable victory that lifted them temporarily to fourth place in the standings.

Floriana’s enterprise contrasted with Pietà's caution, which was intended as a base for quick counter-attacks. However, the fare was largely unproductive as the target men at both ends were under tight supervision.

Steven Bonnici forced Tedesco into an early substitution as the defender pulled a muscle and was replaced by Emanuel Briffa in 34th minute. Newcomer Briffa was at times forced to contend with the incisive running of Claudio Frances as the Argentine winger kept shifting flanks with Luke Micallef. Still the breakthrough was hard to come by as Felipe Douglas kept marshalling his rearguard to good effect.

The Greens had the onus of breaking their opponents’ resistance as early as possible after ends were changed.

The salvo came courtesy of Matteo Piciollo six minutes after half-time when Hotspurs failed to deal with Pisani’s free-kick and the Italian striker nipped in to head at goal. Montfort got a touch on his point -blank header but could not prevent it crossing the line.

Shy the hour mark, Piciollo spurned a glorious opportunity to put the game beyond the opponent’s reach. Plut’s pass from the right wing found the Italian striker in the six-yard box but the striker hit the ball over the bar.

Floriana went forward in search of some sort of cushion, at the same time betraying signs of apprehension whenever the ball was at the feet of Frances as Pieta’ were not down and out yet.

Moments later, Sacha Borg was dismissed for a second bookable offence. But it was Floriana who struck. And it was an unfortunate own goal by Karl Micallef which practically killed the game. After 76 minutes, Plut sped past the onrushing Montfort but his grounder hit the foot of the post. Micallef saw the ball bounce off his foot before flying into the net.