Floriana: S. Agius, J. Briffa, I. Azzopardi (J. Brincat), M.Caruana, R. Gango-Rtsa, R. Oba, T. Cilia, M. Micallef ( K. Formosa), C. Cassar, A. Mifsud, A. Eviparker (R. Darmanin)

Hamrun S: J. Cordina, J. Debattista, I. Zammit, P. Ndah Ndubisi (C. Nwankwo), D. Galea, R. Mangion, K. Borg (D. Cucciardi), M. Okoro, S. Sultana, A. Mansueto, G. Spiteri (S. Sadowski)

Referee: C. Pisani asst.refs: J. Camilleri, C. Micallef 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: T. Cilia, A. Eviparker, M. Micallef

Yellow cards: G. Spiteri, A. Eviparker, R. Oba. M. Okoro

Player of the match: Manolito Micallef (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. M. Micallef 2. A. Eviparker 3. J. Cordina

With the pace and power up front, inspired by a lively Eviparker and well sustained by the supporting runs of Micallef, Cassar and Cilia, Floriana produced an overwhelming performance to beat direct relegation candidates Hamrun Spartans by three clear goals.

The Greens looked almost always superior to their opponents in every department and their coach reaped deserved rewards for fielding an attacking ensemble that outplayed a nervy Hamrun side.

Hamrun had their coach Degiorgio back on the bench after a long suspension but showed little of the self-belief or confidence that will be required to avoid the slide into a lower division. They looked much disjointed in their play and the Floriana keeper Agius remained mostly inoperative as the Spartans’ attacks were at a premium.

Floriana were the first to settle into the game and by the first quarter hour, Hamrun’s keeper Cordina was forced to save two efforts from Eviparker and Mifsud as Micallef fired an angled shot over.

On 17 minutes, Floriana deservingly broke the deadlock as Trevor Cilia’s clinical finish from the edge of the area beat Cordina at the top left hand corner.

Hamrun’s response came from Sultana, hitting first time Mansueto’s cross from the right, narrowly off target.

After Floriana were forced to substitute the injured Azzopardi on 21 minutes, Spiteri’s tame header on a Borg free-kick from the right, lacked the required punch.

Floriana again took the bit between their teeth past the half hour and threatened further when Eviparker played a deft one-two with Mifsud, before shooting at goal, only to be foiled by Cordina’s plucky save into a corner.

From the resultant flag kick, Cilia’s through pass was fractionally missed by Micallef in front of goal.

Floriana’s second goal arrived three minutes from the break. Micallef broke away unhindered from the middle and passed the ball to Anthony Eviparker who finished off with a low diagonal shot.

Hamrun effected two substitutions at the start of the second half, putting in Sadowski and Nwankwo. Manseuto’s effort went just over.

But as many thought the Spartans would up the tempo, Floriana remained firmly in command, controlling the proceedings. The Greens remained menacing on the offensive and went close on several occasions, but spurned their chances or were foiled by Cordina’s saves.

Mifsud fluffed a good chance towards the hour, shooting wide after good work by Eviparker. Then Cilia’s shot was saved by Cordina and minutes later the Hamrun shot-stopper had to dive to his left to keep out Micallef’s powerful drive. Another Mifsud effort on Oba’s free-kick, was saved on the line by Sadowski.

With seven minutes remaining, Manolito Micallef crowned a good performance with Floriana’s third goal, going past Zammit and beating Cordina with a low drive, to win the best player award.