FLORIANA-3, QORMI-0
Floriana boosted their Championship Pool drive with a 3-0 victory over Qormi who finished the match with nine men.
After taking the lead in a generally balanced first half, Floriana sealed their win in the final stages as they took full advantage of their numerical advantage.
Qormi had started well but late red cards to Owen Bugeja and goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia scuppered their fightback hopes, much to the frustration of their fans and committee members who directed a barrage of insults at referee Clayton Pisani at the end of the match.
Qormi began brightly. In the opening minutes, Alfred Effiong freed Grech who advanced menacingly towards goal but his chip was cleared by the Floriana defence.
Floriana survived another scare on seven minutes when Grech sent a through-ball to Effiong who looked odds-on to score as he lobbed the on-rushing Daniel Hanford but the ball skimmed the far post.
The Greens took the lead from their first noteworthy attack. Steve Pisani played a crucial role as his low pass from the inside-right channel rolled into the path of Igor Coronado who turned before firing a low shot that had the better of Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper.
Qormi tried to react but, bar a few dangerous run by Effiong, they hardly troubled the Floriana rearguard. At the other end, Floriana protested for a penalty when Chistian Caruana slumped on the turf after being challenged by Jonathan Bondin but referee Clayton Pisani waved play on.
Close to the half-hour, Roderick Bajada's cross from a corner sparked a goalmouth melee but Qormi failed to take advantage.
After Coronado blasted his shot high and wide, the Greens had a good chance to double their lead eight minutes from half-time. Christian Caruana's fine cross from the left flew across the face of goal but Diogo Pinheiro failed to make contact.
Hanford, the Floriana goalkeeper, then saved a central header from Effiong who had got on the end of Innocenti's set-piece cross.
The game became more entertaining as the first half entered its final stages.
A Floriana breakaway opened up Qormi as Coronado sped forward before setting up Pisani but the latter's finish was poor and Farrugia saved with ease.
Four minutes from half-time, Diogo made a strong run, veering infield from the left before hitting an angled drive that sailed past the far post with Farrugia beaten.
After a quiet start to the second half, Qormi had a free-kick in a dangerous position but Tristan Caruana's shot was saved by Hanford.
Midway into the second half, Brooke Farrugia tried his luck with a long-range volley that was saved by the Qormi goalkeeper.
With 19 minutes remaining, Qormi suffered another blow when defender Owen Bugeja, who was facing his former team, was sent off after collecting two bookings in two minutes, the second for barging into Sacha Borg.
Qormi's woes increased when, 11 minutes from time, goalkeeper Farrugia was given a red card for bringing down substitute Luca Casha. From the penalty spot, Gary Muir beat reserve goalkeeper Steve Sultana.
Moments later, Floriana went 3-0 ahead, Diogo flicking the ball home after swapping passes with Caruana.
Floriana's Coronado was voted BOV player of the match.