Shortage of shots at goal and a strange decision by the referee characterised this game.

The first occasions were created by Floriana. San Gwann keeper Nicholas Vella foiled Keith Curmi with a timely sortie after an Elliot Micallef through ball, a freekick shot by Micallef was cleared to a corner and Vella foiled Andrea Grech with another timely sortie after an Edward Falzon through ball.

In San Gwann’s first attack, came from Ryan Zammit who put Clayton Cauchi through but the latter’s shot was cleared on the fatal line and Greens’ keeper Luca Grech had to dive and save on Cauchi.

In the 31st minute we witnessed a strange decision by the referee.

Keith Cauchi was fouled just outside the area as he was put through, given the advantage, he entered the area and netted with a grounder, and to the amazement of everyone present, the referee disallowed the goal and ordered the freekick to be taken.

Two minutes before the break, Cauchi should have scored for Floriana, but he failed to apply the killer touch from two metres after an Owen Bugeja well-taken freekick.

San Gwann had more of the exchanges after resumption. A dangerous cross by Sergio Hili was headed away to safety by Greens hardworking defender Elliot Micallef and Grech neutralized a cross shot by Armand Chetcuti

On 72 minutes, Cauchi was put through in the area. San Gwann keeper Vella fumbled the ball during his sortie and the Greens striker failed to capitalise with an open goal at his mercy, and a San Gwann defender cleared the danger.

Just before the final whistle, Floriana scored the winner when substitute Carl Grech put Keith Cauchi through who netted with a grounder on entering the area.

Referee – William Debattista

Player of the match – Elliot Micallef (Floriana)

Paola H 1

Birkirkara 1

Following this result the Paolites are occupying an unusual sixth from bottom position.

They enjoyed the lion’s share of exchanges throughout the game.

Hibs created the first occasions. Gary Inguanez put Jonathan Xerri through but Mark Debono cleared the danger, from a well-taken flagkick by Sammy Piscopo, Xerri failed to apply the killer touch when well placed.

On nine minutes, Hibs opened the score, when Clayton Zammit was put through in the area and netted with a grounder. In a Stripes’ reaction Neil Hales put Clint Zammit through but Hibs keeper Joswell Caruana saved his grounder. At the other end, Stripes’ keeper Mark Briffa foiled Leighton Grech with a timely sortie after a Xerri through ball and later had to fist the ball away after a Piscopo flagkick and also neutralised a Xerri cross despite being harassed by Inguanez.

Briffa had to dive to save on Inguanez after being served by Grech. Caruana then neutralized a cross by Ivo Curmi after a Mark Debono through ball. The Stripes’ keeper was again called in action and neutralized a cross by Clayton Zammit.

Eight minutes before normal time the Stripes obtained the equalizer.

Debono floated a perfect ball in the area from a freekick and Curmi headed in past Caruana. A Zammit dangerous cross was cleared to a corner by a Hibs defender.

In the fourth minute of added time Grech should have snatched the winner for Hibs, but he headed over the bar after a Piscopo perfect through ball.

Referee – David Zammit

Player of the match – Sammy Piscopo (Paola H)