A late goal enabled Floriana to extend their unbeaten run as they edged past Hamrun Spartans to move back in second place.
In the first half, the two teams shared the exchanges but in the second half, Floriana were constantly in the driving seat although it was only in the dying the minutes that they managed to score the all-important goal.
Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco could not count on the suspended Steven Pisani. Pisani, Nicolas Chiesa and Arthur Henrique made way for James Baldacchino, Juninho Cabral and Emerson Marcelina. For Hamrun, Jacques Scerri handed Mauricio Jose Marinho and Siraj Arab their first start, also naming Dale Camilleri in the starting line-up.
The Greens had the first attempt at goal on the 9th minute when off a Mario Fontanella corner from the right, Ignacio Varela’s header was parried by Steve Sultana.
Hamrun replied with a cross from the right by Dale Camilleri with Lydon Micallef having a shot blocked by a defender and Mauricio Jose Marinho’s effort turned into a corner by Ini Etim Akpan on the 29th minute. Four minutes later, a freekick by Guilherme de Castro was parried by the Floriana goalkeeper.
The Spartans maintained the pressure and on the 36th minute, Lydon Micallef took advantage of an erratic clearance by the goalkeeper and rounded him but with the open goal at his mercy, the on-loan striker hesitated allowing Enzo Ruiz to block his conclusion.
However just before half-time, Steve Sultana came to the rescue for Hamrun blocking a low shot by Juninho Cabral.
Two minutes in the second half, Mario Fontanella concluded a fine solo effort with a powerful shot which was partially saved by Sultana and Mauricio came to the rescue, clearing the ball into a
corner. Juninho Cabral then hit high following an assist by Clyde Borg on the 53rd minute. The Brazilian tried his luck once again on the 69th minute, following a through pass by Fontanella, but his conclusion scraped past the post.
The Greens continued to hold the initiative and substitute Leighton Grech had an angled shot from the right saved in two attempts by Sultana on the 74th minute.
Eight minutes from time, Floriana notched the winner when off a cross by Leighton Grech, Emerson Marcelina’s header was partially saved by Sultana and off the rebound, Mario Fontanella slotted past the Hamrun custodian.