Floriana: S. Agius, J. Briffa, D. Pisani, M.A. Psaila, I. Azzopardi, J. Borg, M. Gauci (A. Spiteri), W. Gomes, M. Micallef (L. Agius), A. Buhagiar, M. Caruana (C. Cassar)

Pieta H: A. Hogg, B. Sciberras, Q. Refalo, C. Pulo (S. Grech), C. Sammut, D. Camenzuli, S. Kondev, R. Xuereb (R. Provenzano), D. Mifsud, E. Herrera, D. Gatt (E. Camilleri)

Referee: S. Tanti, asst.refs: M. Debono, P. Apap, 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorer: M. Micallef

Player of the match: Manolito Micallef (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. M. Micallef 2. S. Kondev 3. I. Azzopardi

Floriana finished top of the Relegation Pool beating Pieta by a solitary Manolito Micallef goal in the first half. The strong wind that swept across the national Stadium had its impact on the game as both sides dominated with the wind behind their backs.

Floriana were the better team in the first half, with Pieta gaining in confidence and dominating the second part. With some luck Pieta could have even snatched a dramatic equaliser near the end and avoid their first Relegation Pool defeat after four consecutive victories, but the Greens' defence held well till the final whistle.

All in all Floriana deserved this victory to open a commanding four-point lead at the top of this round-robbin group that relegated St. George's and Marsa to a quick return to First Division football.

Floriana showed the better ideas in the opening stages, with Manolito Micallef and Mark Gauci creating loads of trouble on the left flank. Pieta's defence was caught napping on more than one occasion.

Mano Micallef hit the side netting and goalkeeper Hogg had to block a Buhagiar shot and a Gauci shot. Floriana's chances kept flowing with regular intervals and Buhagiar should have done better with an overhead kick in front of goal. On 15 minutes Hogg had to dive to save a Mark Gauci scorcher.

Having withstood the early pressure, Pieta started to come forward as they came to grips with Floriana's superiority in midfield. However Carmel Busttil's team failed to be dangerous apart from a close miss on 27 minutes when Ian Azzopardi headed towards his own goal, unaware that goalkeeper Agius was charging out of position. But Psaila saved his team mate's blushes and his side by clearing the ball off the goal line.

On the half hour Floriana took the lead when a Briffa bombshell was partially saved by Hogg and from the rebound Gauci crossed to the unmarked Micallef who headed home his fourth goal of the season.

Floriana's dominance was now more pronounced with Mano Micallef in devastating form.

On 38 minutes Micallef won a tackle in Pieta's penalty and passed towards the unmarked Pisani who wasted the good opportunity shooting well beyond the far post. In stoppage time Wendell Gomes managed a good cross from the left but Buhagiar's header could only hit the side netting.

Floriana introduced Christian Cassar for the second period which started with a Carl Sammut effort saved by keeperAgius. Busuttil made the first changes shortly after the re-start introducing Provenzano and Grech for Xuereb and Pulo. These changes did not radically change the Pieta side, however the boys in blue played better and enjoyed territorial superiority.

But they lacked the necessary punch up front and they rarely tested Simon Agius. Refalo had the best effort seven minutes from time receiving from Kondev but his shot sailed over the bar.

A minute from time Provenzano had a good diagonal shot cleared off the line by Psaila and a Camenzuli header going slightly wide.

Today

Ta’Qali (7.30pm): Marsaxlokk-Valletta