Hamrun S.-Floriana 2-4

Floriana staged an amazing second half comeback, after trailing Hamrun Spartans by two goals by halftime, to clinch a dramatic victory which looked beyond them by the end of the first half.

In fact, the Spartans, who were by far the better team for the first 45 minutes, could have been three or four goals up as they were denied by the woodwork and were themselves culpable of fluffing other chances.

Floriana, missing the injured Cassar, looked out of sorts but Artz’s very sensible substitutions, putting in Chris Caruana and Eviparker in the first half, and Jermain Brincat by the start of the second, gave them the required impetus to overturn the result.

Azzopardi in defence and Chris Caruana up front played a blinder for the Greens, who were rewarded by Adrian Mifsud’s clinical finish, clinching a hat-trick in the process. This win was another step in the right direction in an unbeaten five-match streak in this second round which moves them closer to a Championship Pool berth.

Both sides started the match in a cautious manner, but Floriana’s more laid-back approach allowed Hamrun to take the early initiative. Okoro failed to conclude a fine move between Spiteri and Fenech, putting his final shot off target. Spiteri managed to put his head to a long Ndubisi cross but failed to steer the ball into the net.

Floriana’s timid reply came from Baldacchino who tried to lob Formosa’s cross over keeper Cordina but his effort went over the bar.

The Spartans deservingly went ahead on 20 minutes. Ryan Fenech picked keeper’s Agius clearance, as he palmed out Borg’s long cross before Spiteri could connect, from outside the area and drove the ball low out of outstretched Agius’ reach.

The goal sparked an immediate reaction by Floriana. Mifsud headed Cilia’s cross over and midway through the half keeper Cordina produced a good save, tipping the ball over the bar, to thwart Cilia’s powerful effort.

Towards the half hour, Floriana were spared further derision when Spiteri laid an inviting ball into Mangions’ path. With Agius beaten, the Hamrun skipper’s thunderous shot thumped against the upright.

On 33 minutes the Spartans again fluffed another good opportunity. Spiteri played a deft one-two with Mangion but lofted the final pass in front of goal.

They atoned for the previous missed chances on 40 minutes though. Hamrun were awarded a free-kick from the edge of the area on the left. Mangion played the ball low and Maczerob Okoro toe-poked it in from close range.

Before the break, Mangion nearly marred his superlative first half performance with a retaliation on Cilia’s foul. Luckily, he was only punished with a booking by referee Zammit as was the Floriana player.

Floriana, who had effected all three substitutions, were a transformed side after the interval as the pattern of the game was to change briskly. A Ciantar free-kick was partially saved by Cordina but both Eviparker and Mifsud failed to shoot in the loose ball.

What looked like a legitimate penalty claim by Hamrun after the Floriana keeper tripped Okoro, was turned down by the referee and the Spartans’ chance to go three up was overlooked.

Instead, towards the hour, Cordina palmed out Caruana’s close header and from the ensuing action, Sadowski’s foul conceded a penalty which Adrian Mifsud tucked away to reduce the arrears.

Hamrun had to absorb a lot of Floriana’s pressure after that as the Spartans seemed to have lost much of their early composure as play shifted dramatically in the Greens’ favour.

As Floriana kept probing for an equaliser, Cilia shooting Eviparker’s cross wide, Hamrun put in Nwanku for the erratic Spiteri, as their confidence was drained.

On 75 minutes, Floriana’s efforts were rewarded with an equaliser. Azzopardi’s through ball was chested by Eviparker, for Chris Caruana to run in and shoot past a helpless Cordina.

And with five minutes remaining Floriana struck the fatal blow. The Hamrun keeper failed to intercept Eviparker’s deep cross from the left as he was beaten by Adrian Mifsud’s firm header.

Adrian Mifsud completed his hat-trick and his side’s rout with another goal in added time, sending a trickling ball into an unattended goal after the Hamrun keeper had gone up to join his mates in attack.

It was the perfect reward for Floriana’s impressive second half display of energy, courage and commitment.

Hamrun S: J. Cordina, I. Zammit, J. Debattista, S. Sadowski, K. Borg (S. Sultana), P. Ndubisi, J. Francica, M. Okoro, R. Mangion, R. Fenech (E. Briffa), G. Spiteri (C. Nwankwu)

Floriana: S. Agius, I. Ciantar, K. Fabri, I. Azzopardi, R. Gango Rtsa, T. Cilia, J. Briffa (J. Brincat), M. Micallef, K. Formosa (C. Caruana), A. Mifsud, N. Baldacchino (A. Eviparker)

Referee: A. Zammit Asst refs: P. Agius, J. Camilleri 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: R. Fenech, M. Okoro, A. Mifsud 3 (1 pen), C. Caruana

Yellow cards: R. Mangion, T. Cilia, M. Okoro

Player of the match: Rupert Mangion (Hamrun Spartans)

TMI top three: 1. I. Azzopardi 2. A. Mifsud 3. R. Mangion