FLORIANA-4, NAXXAR LIONS-1
Floriana boosted their top-five aspirations after beating Naxxar Lions 4-1 to go fourth in the table, two points clear of Balzan who meet Tarxien Rainbows today.
The Greens deserved their victory as they were the better side while Naxxar only made a late reaction after the first-half sending-off of goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi had effectively shattered their hopes of taking something from the match.
An action-packed first half produced countless chances.
Floriana created a good move on 16 minutes. Running on to a long ball, Vito Plut dashed into the box before laying the ball back to Steve Pisani whose first-time grounder was blocked by Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar Lions goalkeeper.
The Lion broke forward quickly as Uchenna Emenike advanced on the left before supplying an outswinging cross that landed at the feet of Vella but his volley was deflected away for a corner.
Close to the 11th minute mark, Emerson Marcelina, Floriana's holding midfielder, almost scored a great goal as his dipping drive from the centre-circle came off the crossbar.
Floriana were again unlucky on 16 minutes. Naxxar defender Andrew Scicluna's short backpass left the way clear for Plut who moved into the box but the Slovenian's effort hit the inside the far post.
Naxxar also had a great chance to open the scoring when Terence Vella's pass set up Emenike who having run past the dithering Clyde Borg, ran towards goal but the Nigerian miscued his attempt.
Floriana took the lead midway into the first half. Gary Muir's cross from the left bypassed the Naxxar defenders and Pisani was on hand to guide the ball home.
A low drive by Piciollo ended wide on the half-hour but four minutes later, Naxxar suffered another blow when goalkeeper Azzopardi was shown a straight red card for bringing down Plut inside the box. Floriana were awarded a penalty and Muir sent his shot past the incoming Luke Pecorella from the spot.
The Greens stayed in control. They threatened to add to their lead when Piciollo darted into the box from the left but his strike hit the outside of the post. The Italian then fired wide from Pisani's cross.
Doffo's long-range free-kick ended high on the stroke of half-time but Naxxar narrowed the deficit in stoppage time. From Doffo's corner, Daren Falzon's backward header cannoned off the far post but Emenike rammed home from the rebound.
There was also a chance for Floriana to regain their two-goal lead when Muir released Piciollo who sprinted into the box only to blast high.
Two minutes into the second half, Floriana went close to a third but Plut failed to conclude properly from the six-yard box. Pecorella then stopped Piciollo's close-range effort.
Floriana continued to press forward in search of a third goal. They were again unlucky when Piciollo's stooping header, from Plut's cross, ricocheted off the crossbar.
It was not long before Floriana increased their lead. Piciollo's shot came off debutant Albert Bruce's hands, prompting referee Fyodor Zammit to point to the spot. Brazilian Douglas made no mistake from the spot.
Piciollo finally got on the scoresheet as his rising flick sailed into the top corner after good work by Brooke Farrugia who had just replaced Clyde Borg.
With 15 minutes remaining, Gauci effected a good save to stop Reano's header after the Argentine had met Edet's cross. With Floriana growing somewhat complacent, Naxxar made a belated reaction. Doffo again went close but his cross-cum-shot landed on top of the crossbar.
Emenike was also denied by the post as his screamer rattled the crossbar.
Piciollo, the Floriana forward, was named BOV player of the match.