Floriana: S. Agius, M. Micallef, J. Briffa (J. Briffa), D. Pisani, D. Krsteski, C. Ciantar (J. Brincat), M. Brincat, Z. Levniac, V. Bolasie, R. Darmanin (M. Gauci), A. Mifsud.

Pieta H. M. Montfort, P. Deliminkov, Q. Refalo, C. Pulo (D. Gatt) , C. Sammut, D. Camenzuli (S. Grech), S. Kondev, G. Goodlip, M. Vella (D. Kokavessis), E. Herrera, R. Camilleri.

Referee: A. Arciola. Asst refs: J. Camilleri, E. Spiteri. 4th official: S. tanti

Scorers: D. Krsteski, A. Mifsud, V. Bolasie,

Yellow cards: C. Sammut, S. Kondev, M. Brincat, M. Micallef, D. Gatt

Player of the match: D. Krsteski

TMI Top 3: 1. D. Krsteski, 2. V. Bolasie, 3. Z. Levniac

Floriana easily disposed of a lethargic Pieta side yesterday to get back to winning form and also move back to the top of the table.

The league leaders made sure of their win in the second half when Pieta failed to find the energy to retaliate after suffering a goal in the first period.

The first half was equally balanced with the Greens slightly ahead on possession, perhaps. Both teams created a good number of chances, but all were missed before Krsteski finally found the net off a freekick.

In the second half, it was a totally different story. I expected Pieta to rally in the hope of saving the match, but it was the Greens who scored another after a few minutes and then went on to consolidate their lead, even if the fourth goal should never have been allowed to stand.

The Greens never really gave Pieta the chance to recover and could therefore return to victory (they had suffered their only defeat last week against Marsaxlokk) which took them back to the top of the standings.

Floriana took the field without Trevor Cilia while the Caruana brothers, Mario and Christian, as well as Cassar started on the bench. On the other hand, Pieta were still missing the valuable services of their star midfielder Martin Deanov.

Floriana started aggressively and on four minutes, Bolasie came face to face with Montfort, but the Pieta goalie blocked miraculously. And two minutes later, it was Micallef who dribbled his way into the area only to see his effort blocked by a defender.

Pieta replied on 10 minutes with Q. Refalo outpacing Pisani and then seeing his effort flicked away by the diving Agius.

On 17 minutes, Kondev's cross went to the unmarked Refalo, but his lob was not precise and the onrushing Agius could block. Immediately afterwards, Herrera lifted the ball over the bar with Agius still out of position.

Krsteski went close for the Greens with a freekick on 28 minutes, but he was on target two minutes later when his low freekick deceived Montfort who could only push the ball into the net.

Early in the second half, another Krsteski freekick created havoc in the Pieta goal, but Darmanin hit the side rigging with a fierce shot from close in.

It became 2-0 on the 52nd minute when Krsteski set Adrian Mifsud who anticipated Montfort to put the ball into the net.

Ten minutes later, the same Mifsud was unlucky not to add another one as his 20-metre shot hit the crossbar with Montfort beaten.

The third arrived on 67 minutes when off another Krstekis freekick, Vaca Bolasie rose above friend and foe to head home into the net.

The fourth goal on 83 minutes should not have been allowed to stand. Manolito Micallef lost the ball near the byeline as he made his way through. With the Pieta defence standing he went on to put the ball into the net. And to the surprise of everyone, the point was allowed to stand!