Floriana’s disappointing season had a turn of events yesterday as the Greens came from a goal behind to score three times against Pieta and register their first win of the season.

It was a deserved victory as Floriana, without setting any houses on fire kept chasing the result against a defence-minded Pieta. Adrian Mifsud scored a brace for the Greens after missing a sitter early in the second.

The victory lifts Floriana from the bottom of the table for the first time this season. For Pieta fresh from their surprise victory against

champions Sliema, it was an under par display, and they deserved nothing better.

Taking the lead through a splendid Sciberras header, Pieta were too negative in their approach, giving too much space in midfield to their opponents. A splendid Martin Deanov could do little against the Greens’ superior quality in midfield.

Andrew Hogg saved everything that came his way, but could have done better in Floriana’s second and third goals.

The match had a very quietstart with the first danger created by Pieta’s goalkeeper Hogg who fumbled a Christian Casar freekick but the Greens’ attackers were not alert enough and the Pieta defence managed to clear the danger.

On twelve minutes, Floriana goalkeeper David Farrugia, who was playing for the suspended Simon Agius, made his presence felt when he saved a certain goal off a great shot from Calleja.

Ilian Deanov could have upset his father when he almost scored in his own net in an attempt to clear a Cilia cross.

On 26 minutes Floriana were unlucky not to take the lead when aa Adrian Mifsud header deceived Hogg, but the ball finished against the crossbar. Four minutes later Pieta took the lead when Martin Deanov floated a perfect free-kick inside Floriana’s penalty area and Bernard Sciberras rose above the rest to head beautifully in.

Floariana were put back by this setback, and Pieta were dangerous again with five minutes to go with Martin Deanov testing Farrugia from long distance.

Floriana started the second half introducing Evi Parker in attack and looked more determined and dengerous, but Pieta almost scored again with a Martin Deanov initiative, but Farrugia saved well. Adrian Mifsud missed a glaring scoring chance on 53 minutes following a Baldacchino cross from the left, but Hogg denied Mifsud with a splendid save. Seconds later Baldacchino shot over the bar from close range.

Pieta were constantly pushed back in their own area as Floriana were constantly on the offensive. On 74 minutes the Greens were rewarded for their efforts when they obtained a deserved equaliser.

Evi Parker passed to his right to the unmarked Adrian Mifsud, who this time made no mistake beating Hogg with the ball hitting the post before finishing at the back of the net.

Floriana kept up the pressure and eight minutes from time they took the lead when Hogg left his charge to punch the ball away, only for Adrian Mifsud to hit home from the edge of the area.

Two minutes later Floriana put their minds at rest when Trevor Cilia lobbed from an acute angle to give Floriana a well deserved victory.