Floriana’s unbeaten run at the start of the season came to an abrupt end yesterday as the Greens faltered against none other than the champions Marsaxlokk.

The verdict came after 90 minutes of intense and exciting football especially in the second half. Great merit goes to both sets of players for such an intriguing match, with five goals scored and plenty of goalmouth actions.

The champions deserved this victory - one that lifts them from a gloomy patch culminated with the defeat against the Spartans. Marsaxlokk showed those present yesterday that they are not written off yet, and could be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season.

On the other hand Floriana confirmed their solid squad, with the players giving their hearts out till the final whistle. The Greens’ supporters should still be happy with fare offered so far by Doncic’s boys.

Floriana who were without the suspended Krsteski and had to do without Mario Caruana who limped off after 25 minutes play. After a good initial spell of good football, with two good shots by Adrian Mifsud and Christian Cassar, both saved by Debono, the champions started to move better than their opponents.

Lead by a splendid Jamie Pace and the hard working Peter Pullicino, Marsaxlokk were becoming more menacing with Malcolm Licari and Wendell Gomes combining well in attack. Trevor Templeman was in the starting eleven, and started instead of Da Silva who was listed in the line presented to the press.

Marsaxlokk dominated the second part of the first half with the Greens constantly in their own half, trying some sortie up front with Mifsud or Christian Caruana.

Floriana goalkeeper Simon Agius saved the day for his side on 36 minutes when Sammut chested the ball towards defender Magro who was blocked by the Floriana custodian.

However with four minutes for the break Marsaxlokk deservedly took the lead when Gomes headed towards Malcolm Licari who withstood Sevasta’s pressure to beat Agius.

Doncic made radical changes in the second half with the introduction of Ciantar and Bolasie, with the latter immediately leaving his mark with dazzling runs that created havoc in the Marsaxlokk defence.

On 55 minutes a short Camenzuli freekick towards Sammut who shot over the bar. Two minutes later Marsaxlokk doubled the score with a polished move started by Magro who passed to Licari whose cross was met by Wendell Gomes who beat Agius.

Two minutes later the Greens were back in business when a Micallef header was blocked off the line by Conceicao, and Sevasta was on hand to score from close range. Six minutes later Marsaxlokk re-established their two-goal cushion when Licari beat the offside trap and crossed to Sammut who was denied by a brilliant Agius save, but Trevor Templeman scored with a fierce drive from the rebound.

But three minutes later the Greens scored again, when Bolasie passed to Mano Micallef whose first bombshell was blocked by Debono but the same Micallef made no mistake from the rebound.

In the last minutes both sides could have added further goals in a thrilling finish that saw the champions emerge winners over the leaders.

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Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, M. Licari (A. Da Silva), R. Conceicao, S. Wellman, C. Magro, J. Pace, P. Pullicino (G. Sciberras), W. Gomes, K. Sammut, A. T. Templeman, W. Camenzuli

Floriana: S. Agius, M. Micallef, J. Briffa, M. Caruana (E. Sevasta), D. Pisani, T. Cilia (C. Ciantar), C. Cassar, Z. Levniac, M. Brincat, C. Caruana (Y. Bolasie), A. Mifsud.

Referee: C. Lautier asst. refs: I. Spiteri, M. Debono 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: M. Licari, W. Gomes, E. Sevasta, T. Templeman, M. Micallef

Yellow cards: M. Micallef, J. Pace, S. Wellman

Player of the match: Malcolm Licari (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. M. Licari, 2. M. Micallef, 3. J. Pace