Floriana 2
Valletta 0
Floriana: M. Grech, A. Scicluna, A. Monticelli (J. Cabral, M. Cabral), S. Pisani, C. Borg, M. Piciollo (N. Spiteri), S. Bonnici, E. Briffa, N. Chiesa, M. Fontanella, E. Marcelina.
Valletta: H. Bonello, J. Caruana, J. Gill Cruz, R. Briffa, FM Falcone, L. Cremona (I. Azzopardi), C. Pani (J. Suda), U. Calistus, J. Benites, A. Nafti (M. Mifsud), R. Pericles Romao.
Referee: F. Zammit.
Asst refs: R. Vella, D. Castillo.
Add. asst refs: M. Spiteri, P. Farrugia.
4th official: D. Sultana.
Scorers: M. Fontanella, M. Villa,
Yellow cards: R. Romao, E. Briffa, J. Cabral, A. Nafti, A. Scicluna, U. Calistus, J. Caruana,
Red cards: R. Romao, E. Briffa,
Player of the match: M. Piciollo.
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Piciollo; 2. E. Marcelina, 3. R. Briffa.
Attendance: 3,502.
Floriana stunned league leaders Valletta yesterday to open the title issue wide.
Strikes by Fontanella just before the interval and substitute Villa brought about Valletta’s debacle.
Valletta still enjoy a six-point lead over second placed Hibernians, but the Paolites have today’s match against Tarxien Rainbows in hand, and this evening that lead could be reduced to three points with three matches to go.
The Greens’ win ended Valletta’s 11-match unbeaten run and also signalled Floriana’s first league win over their big rivals since 2007.
The victory also enabled the Greens to remain in contention for the fourth place. They are three points behind Birkirkara who have today’s match against St Andrews in hand.
Valletta coach Paul Zammit had Ryan Camilleri out through suspension, while on the other hand, Floriana had to play without goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona, also ruled out through suspension, as was their coach Luis Oliveira who could only watch this triumph from the stands.
The Greens deserved their victory as they showed more commitment and adapted themselves better to the situation with Piciollo and Marcelina distinguishing themselves up front and at the back respectively.
The first half was equally balanced, but Valletta appeared to be better equipped, especially in midfield, at least until the 28th minute when they were down to 10 men following the dismissal of Romeu Romao.
Till then, they had created the better chances which, however, went abegging, and they paid dearly as just before the interval whistle, Floriana took the lead.
The Greens played a very cautious match in the opening 45 minutes. In fact, they seemed more intent on defending their fort and operating on the counter-break rather than insisting on attack.
But Romao’s dismissal gave them a clear advantage in midfield as they advanced forward much more frequently and with more sense, until they got their goal with which they went for a rest in the lead.
In the second half, Valletta started like a house on fire in search of an equaliser, but Floriana closed all the gaps. And it was ironical that when the Greens had Briffa dismissed and both teams were back on level terms numerically, the citizens slowed down their rhythm and Floriana started playing much better, scoring another goal to seal the issue in their favour.
Valletta went close to opening the score in the 15th minute when from a Nafti cross, Briffa headed forward for Benites, who however saw his effort just missing the target.
Floriana’s reply arrived on the 24th minute when Piciollo advanced to the edge of the area only for his dangerous shot to be deviated to a corner.
In the 28th minute, Valletta were forced to continue with only 10 men after Romao was shown a second yellow card for a professional foul on Piciollo on the edge of the area - it could have been a straight red.
From the freekick, a Chiesa shot was excellently turned to corner by the diving Bonello.
In the 39th minute, from a Cremona cross, Nafti concluded straight into Grech’s hands from a favourable position.
Just before the interval, Floriana took the lead. It was Piciollo who advanced on the left flank bypassing Cremona before crossing low towards the unmarked Fontanella who swiftly flicked past Bonello into the net.
Early in the second half, Valletta had a chance to level the score, but Falcone hit the ball badly and well over the bar.
Soon after, the teams were back on level terms numerically when Emmanuel Briffa also received a second yellow card and was dismissed. From the freekick, Benites hit the upright with the ball hitting the goalie’s back and finishing wide.
Soon after, from a bad clearance by Floriana goalie Grech, it was Nafti who lifted the ball over the bar with an unguarded post.
In the 62nd minute, Floriana missed a golden chance to add to their tally when following a Piciollo fine solo move, his cross went to the unmarked Fontanella who incredibly headed wide from two metres.
Four minutes later, at the other end, R. Briffa went close to equalising, but his fine 20-metre effort just missed the target with Grech beaten.
The Greens stunned Valletta in the 73rd minute with a second goal. It was again Piciollo the protagonist with a splendid run down the left flank leaving Calistus behind and crossing perfectly for substitute Villa to hit home past a helpless Bonello.
As Valletta tried to rally, Benites had a good effort going just over in the 75th minute.
It was almost 3-0 in the 82nd minute when Fontanella went round Bonello only for his effort being cleared by Gill Cruz possibly with the help of the upright.