Hibernians            0
Floriana                2

Hibernians: A. Hogg, D. Vella (TN Marcolino 57), N. Radojevic, J. Mbong (B. Kristensen 63), M. Dias (T. Tabone Desira 83), J. Degabriele, IT Ntow, J. Bezzina, A. Agius, I. Blazevic, T. Fonseca

Floriana: I. Akpan, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, I. Varela, M. Vella (D. Agius 69), CJ Conceicao, C. Failla, J. Pisani, A. Cini, AH Oyama, E. Marcellina,

Referee: P. Farrugia

Asst refs: L. Portelli, W. Debattista

4th official: E. Mangion

Scorers: I. Varela 25, D. Agius 71

Yellow cards: S. Pisani 31, D. Vella 54, A. Cini 56, Marcellina 57, M. Dias 60,

Player of the match: J. Bezzina

TMI Top 3: 1. I. Varela, 2. S. Pisani, 3. J. Degabriele.

Attendance: 678

Floriana obtained their first victory - and points - of the new season yesterday as they beat Hibernians 2-0 with a goal in each half.

Ignacio Varela gave them the lead in the first half and Daniel Agius secured the three points with a second goal on the change of ends.

The Greens were under the charge of Brazilian coach Luis Oliveira who returned the past few weeks after the sacking of Nicholas Chiesa. And it seems as if this was the medicine the team needed to start moving up the standings.

Also, Clayton Failla of Floriana was playing for the first time against his former team-mates.

As for Hibernians, it was their first defeat after two consecutive wins. Although they saw more of the ball, they failed to take advantage of the various chances which came their way.

Play was more or less balanced in the first half but Hibernians created more than the Greens. Either because they were somewhat unlucky or because they were erratic, they failed to find the Greens' net.

And it was Floriana who scored to take the lead on 25 minutes. After that the Paolites tried hard to score an equaliser, but the Floriana defence held on well.

In the second half, the Paolites again took the initiative in search of a leveller, but they rarely appeared dangerous and once again, it was the Greens who struck on a breakaway to secure their win.

The first action arrived on 10 minutes. Ntow crossed low onto the edge of the Floriana area and there was Dunstan Vella to shoot well only for the ball to be deviated just past the post for an abortive corner.

At the other end, four minutes later, Vella tested goalie Hogg with a good effort, but the Hibs goalie was equal to the task.

Soon after Hibs went close when off a Blazevic cross, a melee ensued in the Greens area, the ball somehow arrived at the feet of Degabriele whose shot was blocked by a Floriana defender.

Floriana broke the deadlock on 25 minutes. From an Alex Cini cross, it was Ignacio Varela who headed home past a beaten Hogg. It was the Greens' first goal in the league this season.

Hibs' reply arrived on 37 minutes - an Mbong low shot which went wide. And on the stroke of halftime, Bezzina had a good effort just missing the target.

Soon after the start of the second half, Floriana went close to adding a second goal. From an Oyama cross, Steve Pisani saw his hard shot being blocked by a Hibs defender.

The Paolites thought they had equalised on 58 minutes when Fonseca found the net, but the point was rightly disallowed for a handling infringement.

Hibs substitute Marcolino tested Akpan seriously on 60 minutes, but the goalie punched the ball away.

Floriana substitute Daniel Agius stunned the Paolites in the 71st minute. He had just entered the pitch when he was served with a good pass and advanced on the left flank, entered the area and fired home a fine volley.

Hibs went close on 76 minutes through a Kristensen effort which went wide.

In the 90th minute, Hibs were awarded a penalty when Ntow was floored by Steve Pisani in the area. From the resultant spotkick, Johann Bezzina saw his shot turned to corner in style by Akpan.