Mosta-Floriana 0-3

Mosta: M. Farrugia, P. Sciriha, S. Borg, R. Newell, C. Attard, M. Bartolo (R. Deguara), D. Okonkwo, D. Falzon, M. Borg, P. Camilleri (I. Bilocca), I. Chibueze.

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

Referee: AM Sant, Asst refs: M. Debono, J. Rapa 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: A. Eviparker, A. Mifsud, C. Caruana

Yellow cards: D. Falzon, G. Rtsa, R. Newell,

Player of match: A. Mifsud.

TMI Top 3: 1. I. Azzopardi; 2. A. Mifsud; 3. P. Camilleri

Floriana did what was expected of them yesterday when they beat bottom-placed Mosta to win three precious points, joining Valletta and Msida on the 17-point mark and condemning Mosta to the Relegation Pool.

It was not an easy match for the Greens who were made to fight hard on an irregular surface made treacherous by the heavy rain and strong winds which prevailed in the final 20 minutes of the first half.

The Greens have thus kept alive their hopes of avoiding the Relegation Pool, but for Mosta, their only hope now is to gain some more points to start their commitments in the Relegation Pool closer to their three other rivals.

The Greens appeared to be technically better equipped than their oppoents and launched several attacks.

However, after missing two easy chances in the early stages, Mosta finally settled down and, despite the atrocious conditions, they managed to hold on to a scoreless draw by the interval whistle.

After Floriana opened the scoring it became an uphill struggle for Mosta who could not find a way past the strong Greens’ rearguard.

Floriana opened like a house on fire and should have opened the scoring on the second minute, but Baldacchino, in a dubious offside position, hit the crossbar.

Two minutes, later, Baldacchino was again alone in front of Farrugia, but hit wide. Other chances arrived to Adrian Mifsud, but he twice hit wide of the target, despite being well placed.

Mosta replied on the 17th minute through Chibueze whose flick was providentially blocked by Simon Agius. Camilleri also had a good effort going over the bar.

At the other end Farrugia was called upon to save a Christian Caruana humdinger in two attempts.

The last 20 minutes of this half were played under a deluge and in strong winds and the players found it rather difficult to control the ball on such a slippery surface.

On 55 minutes, Chibueze was through in the Greens area and it had to be a timely tackle from Gango Rtsa that kept the Nigerian at bay.

Sliema opened the scoring on 59 minutes. Eviparker squared for Trevor Cilia to cross into the area. Adrian Mifsud’s header was partially saved by Farrugia and substitute Anthony Eviparker was on hand to hit home from close in.

On the 72nd minute, Floriana again went close to scoring as a Trevor Cilia effort was blocked in extremis to corner.

Mosta’s only chance arrived on 75 minutes with a Dyson Falzon freekick going wide.

The Greens made sure of the three points when they doubled with five minutes to go. It was Manolito Micallef who provided the pass to Adrian Mifsud who advanced a few paces before hitting home past a helpless Farrugia.

The match was won and lost but there was still some time left for Cilia to pass to the young and promising Christian Caruana who beat Farrugia once again.