MSIDA SJ 0

FLORIANA 2

Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, P. Sciriha, S. Grima (R. Baldacchino), C. Brincat, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, K. Ebejer, P. Doding, A. Spiteri, G. Ogbonna (G. Magri), G. Camilleri (O. Yacine)

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

Referee: K. Azzopardi Asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: M. Brincat, D. Krsteski

Yellow cards: S. Grima, M. Brincat, P. Doding

Player of the match: Mauro Brincat (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. M. Micallef 2. Y. Bolasie 3. P. Doding

Two long range free-kicks, executed in majestic form by Mauro Brincat and Darko Krsteski, one in each half, helped Floriana beat Msida’s tame challenge to take sole command of the Premier League.

Floriana have now opened a three-point lead over Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk after seven matches in a dream start to their season.

The fluidity of their dominating display against Pieta Hotspurs a week before, was conspicuously lacking yesterday as the team remained in second gear. Floriana relied mainly on set-pieces, even contriving to miss a first half penalty when they looked most likely to take the game away from their opponents.

If Floriana were unimpressive, Msida were even worse, and were far too laborious to give the Greens any real trouble. The Saints were poor in the first half and lucky to trail by only one goal at halftime. They somewhat improved in the second half but were still unable to produce incisive movement among their attacking players, with only Doding carrying the burden.

Msida were without the suspended Adrian Farrugia and coach Curmi relegated Baldacchino and Yacine to the bench, only to make second half appearances. He gave the nod to the returning Sciriha and Ebejer.

Ogbonna played in an unusual attacking position, supporting Doding and Camilleri as Tyron Farugia retreated in central defence.

Floriana made only one change from the side which beat Pieta Hotspurs in their starting

line-up. Christian Cassar started the match instead of Pisani as the injured Christian Caruana was still out of contention.

Floriana’s main threat from open play in the early stages came from the agile Bolasie with his surging runs on the left flank, giving Sciriha some hard time to limit the danger.

The Greens looked more menacing on set pieces. On 10 minutes Krsteski’s powerful free-kick narrowly missed the target. Mauro Brincat was on target on the quarter hour, shooting a direct free-kick from a central position some 25 metres out, right at the top left hand corner of Bartolo’s goal.

Floriana were presented with a chance to increase their lead on 28 minutes when Micallef won a penalty after being fouled by Grima inside the area. Mifsud’s shot from the spot hit the underside of the bar and the ball rebounded in play and into Bartolo’s safe hands.

Floriana fluffed another chance five minutes from half time when Mifsud’s goalbound effort on Brincat’s corner was saved single handedly by keeper Bartolo to keep Msida into the game.

The Saints started the second half in more lively fashion and after five minutes they carved a good opportunity when Doding played the ball wide for the unmarked Camilleri who hesitated too long and was twice foiled by the onrushing Agius, blocking at his feet.

Msida kept up possession for long stretches but, looking too disjointed, could not thread their way past the Floriana defence as the half unfolded in scrappy fashion with too many stoppages and passes going astray.

On 75 minutes, Floriana were awarded another free-kick from a good 30 metres out. Darko Krsteski, as always, stepped up to take the kick and let fly a searing left-footer which caught the Msida keeper completely unawares to seal victory for the Greens.

In the late stages, keeper Agius preserved a clean sheet for Floriana when he repelled Doding’s powerful shot, denying him some scant consolation.