Floriana-Marsaxlokk 1-2

Floriana: S. Agius, I. Ciantar, I. Azzopardi, A. Mifsud, R. Gango Rtsa, J. Brincat (M. Gauci), C. Caruana (J. Borg), A. Eviparker, N. Baldacchino (R. Darmanin), K. Formosa, M. Caruana.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Magro, S. Wellman, T. Templeman, C. Mamo, C. Frendo, A. Schembri, W. Soares Gomes, J. Pace (S. Bajada), K. Mamo, M. Licari.

Referee: C. Pisani. Asst refs: P. Agius, A. Arena. 4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: A. Schembri 2, A. Mifsud pen.

Yellow cards: I. Ciantar, T. Templeman, C. Mamo, C. Frendo, C. Caruana,

Player of the match: A. Schembri

TMI Top 3: 1. A. Schembri; 2. C. Caruana; 3. S. Wellman.

Marsaxlokk maintained their impressive run of results yesterday when they overcame a strong challenge from Floriana whose five-match positive run ended with this defeat.

It was Marsaxlokk’s sixth victory on the trot as they have now moved closer to the leading trio. In fact, they are now only four points adrift and considering that the points will be halved in the next stage, then their challenge will certainly grow in stature.

However, they will have to improve over yesterday’s performance if they are to maintain their challenge for the title. In fact, with Frendo subdued, they failed to convince in midfield as Floriana’s Christian Caruana seemed to be in command until he was injured.

Marsaxlokk had Brazilian defender Gomes and midfielder Kevin Sammut missing, while Floriana were missing the suspended Trevor Cilia and Keith Fabri, as well as the unavailable Julian Briffa through injury and the indisposed Manolito Micallef.

In the first half, it was a more or less balanced affair with Marsaxlokk taking an early lead and Floriana producing an encouraging rally which, however, failed to get the Greens an equaliser.

Marsaxlokk quickly took command when after only four minutes, they had already taken the lead. From a Kevin Mamo low cross, Agius could not stop the ball and Andre Schembri kicked home from practically on the goalline.

Floriana’s reply was immediate, but Adrian Mifsud’s effort was handled confidently by Gauci. Later an Ian Ciantar freekick was not far away from target.

On 28 minutes, Steven Wellman’s freekick at the other end just missed the target with Simon Agius staring.

At the other end, soon after, a Christian Caruana effort also went just over and moments later, Baldacchino’s dangerous cross was cleared by a Marsaxlokk defender in front of goal.

At the start of the second half, Simon Agius had to dive sideways to save a Cleaven Frendo grounder and moments later a Malcolm Licari shot was blocked.

Reuben Gauci then saved the day for M’Xlokk whe he tipped to corner off a Ciantar cross as Eviparker was ready to head into the empty net.

On 61 minutes, Floriana equalised through a controversial penalty. Eviparker went in for a Darmanin pass and finished on the ground in a tackle with Gauci. Referee Pisani had no doubt in pointing to the dreaded spot and, from the spotkick, Adrian Mifsud deceived Gauci completely to the delight of the Greens’ fans.

Immediately afterwards, Marsaxlokk regained the lead when from a Cleaven Frendo freekick, Andre Schembri headed home.

The drama was not finished yet, as immediately afterwards, at the other end, Adrian Mifsud saw his well-taken freekick hitting the upright. Then it was Christian Caruana who had an effort landing on the post.

On 80 minutes, Ryan Darmanin had the equaliser in his pocket, but with only Gauci to beat, he shot straight at the goalie, who blocked to corner.

Floriana tried hard to get back on level terms, but Marsaxlokk held on till the very end.