After their slip up against Marsaxlokk, Floriana were looking for no less than three points against bottom club Marsa. The Greens fielded an unchanged formation with front runners Gomez, Mifsud and Caruana hoping to make the usual impression.

On their part, Marsa were looking to Mbong and Bellia to marshal a team that had suffered considerably of late.

Floriana got off to a lightning start when Briffa crossed into the box with Micallef managing to stab the ball to Trevor Cilea who concluded successfully from close range after just 2 minutes. After 9 minutes it was 2-0 to the Greens with Cilia again proving decisive with a stunning strike from just inside the box.

Marsa tried to come back into the game but Ewurun could not connect from a fine Bellia cross on 13 minutes.

However, it was apparent that Floriana were in complete control of the encounter and were administering the pace of the match with consummate ease.

Micallef could have added a third for Floriana on 29 minutes but failed to connect after a fine cross by Gomez.

On 37 minutes, Gomez had a good low shot which was however slightly deflected thus lessening its power and making it an easy catch for Debono. Micallef put the ball into the net on 43 minutes but the goal was adjudged offside by the referee.

The second half again began with Floriana in charge and Christian Caruana set off on one of his devastating runs on 51 minutes only to see his low shot saved by Debono. A beautiful move by Gomes and Cassar ended with Cilia smashing a 30 yard drive that whistled just past of Debono’s post.

Floriana continued pressing forward and on 59 minutes, it was Cassar’s turn to probe into the box but his shot was again well saved by Debono. However the third goal finally arrived on 66 minutes with the irrepressible Cilia notching up his hat trick after a classic counter, securing the points for the Greens.

Marsa managed to reduce the arrears on 82 minutes when Yantchev coolly converted a penalty after Gango Rtsa was adjudged to have fouled Ewurun in the box. However this was only a temporary blemish on Floriana’s fortunes as in the end they were easy winners with Manolito Micallef adding another a few minutes from time to make the score more realistic to the gap between both sides.

* * *

Floriana: Camilleri, Briffa, Psaila, Azzopardi, Cilia, Cassar, Micallef (Pisani), Caruana (Buhagiar), Gomez, Mifsud (Caruana), Gango Rtsa

Marsa: Debono, Yantchev, Zammit Tabona (Chircop), Bencini, Fasinelli (Cutajar), Mbong, Scerri, Zammit (Cucciardi), Scerri, Bellia, Ewurun

Referee: C. Lautier asst refs: J. Rapa, M. Debono 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: T.Cilia (3), E.Yantchev (pen), M. Micallef

Yellow Cards: Bellia, Cutajar, Cilea

TMI top three: 1 T. Cilia 2.W. Gomes 3. C.Caruana