Floriana avoided relegation yesterday which stared in their faces midway through yesterday’s final game with Mosta. With the Blues leading 3-0 and firmly in command, it seemed as if Floriana were doomed, but for the third time this season, they came back strongly in the second half to score three goals that earned them the point they needed.

On their part, Mosta must feel bitterly disappointed after squandering what seemed as a likely unassailable 3-0 lead by the first half hour.

They must all share the blame for missing out on such an opportunity. They must now await the outcome of today’s Pieta-Hamrun clash to know their fate. Only a defeat for Pieta will a decider become necessary to determine the final outcome.

In the first half, the Greens were absolutely irrecognisable as Mosta took command right from the very first whistle and never allowed their opponents to settle down.

Chibueze and Nwoko caused all the damage to the Greens with their mesmerising dribbling and strong running.

It was certainly an impressive performance by Mosta who could have even led by a stronger margin as they took full advantage of Floriana’s slow-moving defence.

But in the second half, Floriana were a transformed side and had Mosta reeling under pressure, even if the Blues were left to rue some missed chances.

As early as the first minute, Nwoko brought out a good save off Agius, but on 18 minutes, Mosta took the lead when Chibueze headed into the net following a long ball from Caruana.

A minute later it was 2-0 as Chibueze pounced on a loose ball and fired in a fine volley.

And on 28 minutes, Mosta struck again as Sciriha converted a penalty after Caruana had pulled down Chibueze in the area.

In the 39th minute, Farrugia kept Mosta firmly in command as he spectacularly turned to corner a close range header from substitute Darmanin, but at the other end, it was Agius again who denied Mosta a fourth goal as he threw himself sideways to stop a Falzon effort.

Soon after the changeover, Adrian Mifsud brought hopes of a recovery by the Greens. He was set by Cilia and advanced unhindered to place the ball behind goalie Farrugia.

Floriana insisted but Mosta were closing well at the back although on 66 minutes, Darmanin missed a sitter, hitting over the bar after getting past Farrugia.

On 70 minutes, Mifsud again found the net for Floriana, but he was ruled offside by the assistant at the far end. A minute later, the Greens pulled another goal back as Ian Azzopardi anticipated everyone to head home an Oba freekick from the left.

On the 74th minute, it was goalie Farrugia who denied Mifsud the equaliser as he turned to corner an insidious shot.

On the 77th minute, the unexpected happened when Chibueze turned villain. In a Floriana desperate attack, he tripped Adrian Mifsud in the area and the Greens were awarded a penalty. From the spot-kick, Adrian Mifsud scored to give his side’s supporters a new lease of life.

On 82 minutes, Manolito Micallef went through beating one player after another, then his final effort went just over.

At the end, the Floriana clan’s joy knew no bounds. Coach Jan Artz and the players rejoiced on the field while the fans celebrated on the terraces.

* * *

Mosta: M. Farrugia, B. Agius (R. Deguara), M. Bartolo (M. Borg), I. Bilocca (P. Camilleri), S. Borg, J. Caruana, I. Chibueze, D. Falzon, R. Newell, U. Nwoko, P. Sciriha

Floriana: S. Agius, R. Gango Rtsa, I. Azzopardi, M. Caruana, R. Oba, K. Formosa (R. Darmanin), C. Ciantar (E. Eviparker), M. Micallef, T. Cilia, C. Caruana, A. Mifsud (J. Borg).

Referee: C. Pisani. Asst refs: P. Agius, M. Vella, 4th official: K. Azzopardi.

Scorers: Chibueze 2, P. Sciriha pen, A. Mifsud, I. Azzopardi,

Yellow cards: J. Caruana, R. Oba, M. Caruana, P. Sciriha, A. Mifsud, R. Darmanin, R. Newell,

BOV Player of the match: Adrian Mifsud

TMI Top 3: A. Mifsud; 2. U. Nwoko; 3. D. Falzon