FLORIANA 2

Paiber 40, Keqi 90

VALLETTA 0

Floriana triumphed in the most important match of all when they lowered Valletta’s colours in 2-0 victory.

Both teams had a brisk opening but when Kristian Keqi was sent sprawling outside the box by Steve Borg, from the ensuing free-kick, Brandon Paiber left himself almost no margin of error in getting the ball between the near post and Henry Bonello, the Valletta goalkeeper.

The reaction of Valletta was spontaneous. Fontanella hit wide on a cross from Gavrila.

A livelier start in the second half saw the Lilywhites redoubled their efforts.

The pressure on Floriana’s fort was gradually mounting even if confidence at the back never really deserted them.

Until the 87th minute when Jonathan Caruana, following up on Ini Akpan’s scrambled clearance, could only see his excellent drive headed on the goal-line by Oyama.

Valletta’s flat-out approach further widened the gap in midfield and that left them vulnerable to quick counter-attack from Keqi. The Albanian winger collected a long crossfield ball from substitute Edward Herrera bamboozled Borg with a stepover before finishing his superb solo run, placing the ball into the top right-hand corner.

Enzo Ruiz of Floriana was named BOV Player of the Match.