FLORIANA 6
og. 58, S. Pisani 63, Cabral 66, Varela 78, Fontanella 85, 86
LIJA 0
Following the resignation of Giovanni Tedesco, Nicolas Chiesa was leading the team for the first time since his appointment as new coach earlier this week. Right from the start, the Greens were clearly in control but during the first half, Lija defended well to keep them at bay. Floriana did score a goal but the goal was disallowed in a rather controversial manner.
In the second half, once Floriana managed to take the lead, Lija’s plans were disrupted and the Greens penetrated at will, scoring another five goals.
After a number of players were rested for the FA Trophy clash with Naxxar last week, Chiesa named an almost full-strength side with Dylan Grima being named in the starting line-up in lieu of Enrico Pepe. On the other hand, Lija lacked Abubakar Bello-Osagie and Leejoe Schembri.
The Greens had the first attempt at goal on the 2nd minute as Ignacio Varela tested the Lija goalkeeper with an angled shot with the ball hitting the woodwork before ending into a corner. A freekick by Maurizio Vella was then neutralised by Luke Bonnici on the 17th minute.
On the half hour, a seemingly hesitant Mario Fontanella, who was in a dubious offside position, beat the Lija custodian with a low shot from inside the area. At first the goal was given by referee Stefan Pace but the decision was reversed, almost two minutes later, after discussing with assistant referee Peter Abela.
Just before half-time, the Greens went close once again when off a cross by Juninho Cabral, Mario Fontanella flicked the ball but the ball just missed the target.
Thirteen minutes in the second half, Floriana finally managed to break the deadlock when Juninho Cabral’s cross shot from the left was deflected by Ousmane Sidibe with the ball ending at the back of the net.
Floriana doubled the score on the 63rd minute when off a Maurizio Vella corner from the left, Steve Pisani headed home past Bonnici.
Three minutes later, the Greens scored a third when off an assist by Fontanella from the right, Juninho Cabral tapped the ball home.
Erjon Beu could have reduced the gap for Lija when he controlled a cross by Aaron Sammut but his conclusion scraped past the post on the 72nd minute. A minute later, Maurizio Vella threatened the Lija rear-guard once again with a powerful drive from the left but the Lija custodian blocked his attempt.
Floriana kept pushing for more and Ignacio Varela scored the fourth goal with an angled shot from the right on the 77th minute.
Nine minutes from time, Lija were reduced to ten men after Ousmane Sidibe was sent off for a rough tackle on Ignacio Varela who had to abandon the pitch injured. From the resulting freekick, Maurizio Vella placed the ball in the bottom left corner, giving goalkeeper Luke Bonnici no chance.
Four minutes from time, Floriana scored the sixth goal when substitute Leighton Grech concluded a good run on the right with an assist for Mario Fontanella who controlled the ball before hitting home.