Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, K. Scerri, D. Vella (J. Casha), E. Yanchev, S. Cutajar (R. Micallef), B. Zammit (K. Cassar), J.P. Zammit, D. Cucciardi, V. Bellia, W. Chircop

Floriana: M. Camilleri, K. Formosa, M. Caruana, D. Pisani, M. Micallef (J.

Portelli), C. Cassar, T. Cilia (M. Gauci), A. Mifsud, C. Caruana, R. Newell, M.A. Psaila (L. Agius)

Referee: S. Tanti Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: R. Newell, M. Gauci

Yellow cards: R. Newell, J.P. Zammit, D. Pisani, R. Micallef

Player of the match: Victor Bellia (Marsa)

TMI top three: 1. V. Bellia 2. C. Caruana 3. E. Yanchev

Ryan Newell and Mark Gauci, two players who do not command a regular place for Floriana, yesterday scored the all important goals for their side to beat bottom placed Marsa and halt a dismal run of three consecutive defeats.

Floriana still entertain some hopes of avoiding the Relegation Pool this season. Newell was one of the players fielded by Floriana in a makeshift defence, bereft of Gango Rtsa, Azzopardi and the suspended Briffa, with Newell and Psaila flanking Mario Caruana in central defence.

Shortly before the break, Newell was lucky to escape punishment as referee Tanti turned a blind eye after the Floriana defender, who had already been cautioned earlier, floored Bellia with a late tackle from behind that deserved at least another yellow card.

Marsa also had Fasinelli missing through suspension after being sent off in the previous match against Sliema Wanderers. Midway through the first half, they were forced to substitute Brandon Zammit after he limped off with a leg injury.

Both teams had little to show in a goalless first half, devoid of real goalmouth action. Despite their ample possession, Floriana were unable to perforate the well organised Marsa rearguard, with Yanchev, Vella and Bencini dominant figures at the back.

Marsa goalkeeper Debono also made a string of brilliant saves in the first 20 minutes to keep Floriana at bay.

Pinned inside their own half for long stretches, Marsa were restricted to

breakaways. Bellia’s volley on a Bencini throw in, went narrowly off target, in an early Floriana scare.

However Floriana went close with a couple of efforts during the first quarter hour but were twice denied by the superlative Debono.

Micallef’s rising shot from outside the area, was tipped into a corner by the

Marsa keeper on 11 minutes and six minutes later, Mifsud ran from the byeline on the left, passed the ball back towards Cilia, whose close range effort was palmed out by Debono.

Floriana showed more urgency after the restart, looking unhappy to settle with anything less than a win.

On 53 minutes Micallef picked a short Marsa clearance on the edge of the area and after steadying himself, shot narrowly wide.

Floriana finally broke the deadlock on 63 minutes, exploiting a set piece, after being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Marsa area. Mifsud played it short to Ryan Newell who beat keeper Debono with a well placed shot at the top of the right hand corner.

Floriana again were close five minutes later with another Mifsud direct free-kick that narrowly missed the target.

Marsa though sparked an immediate reaction in search of an equaliser and before conceding the second goal, they twice went very close to levelling matters.

On 75 minutes Floriana keeper Camilleri missed the flight of the ball as he rushed out to thwart Scerri and Yanchev stooped low to head the loose ball towards goal only for Psaila to block his effort providentially on the goal line.

Eight minutes later, the woodwork denied Marsa an open goal. As the ball fell to his path, Cucciardi ran clear on the right flank and drilled a powerful shot which thumped against the upright with Camilleri completely out of sorts.

At the end, Marsa paid for those misses as they conceded Floriana’s second goal two minutes from time when caught off balance at the back. A Floriana long clearance fell to Mark Gauci who advanced in open space and when faced by the onrushing keeper, deposited the ball into an unattended goal.

Before that, Gauci’s cross from the left, which was deflected towards goal by Mifsud’s heel, hit the inner post before landing in Debono’s safe hands.