Floriana: B. Paris, J. Briffa, C. Ciantar, S. Eboh, O. Anonam, C. Cassar, P. Doffo (J. Borg), M. Briffa, R. Brincat (J. Brincat), C. Caruana (D. Pisani), R. Darmanin

Qormi: M. Farrugia, R. Dos Santos, M. Grima, K. Fenech, A. Effiong, J. Chetcuti, J. Farrugia, K. Spiteri (S. Meilak), S. Wellman (R. Sammut), R. Deguara (M. Buttigieg), S. Pace

Referee: A.M. Sant asst.refs: J. Camilleri, M. Mercieca 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: J. Chetcuti, O. Anonam

Yellow cards: S. Eboh, O. Anonam, J. Chetcuti, S. Wellman, K. Fenech

Player of the match: Joseph Farrugia (Qormi)

TMI top three: 1. C. Ciantar 2. C. Cassar 3. J. Farrugia

In an evenly balanced match, with goals coming only in the second half, Floriana and Qormi grinded a one-all draw, which, in the final analysis, was a fair result.

Both teams did not change much from last season. Qormi’s new faces yesterday, in a bid to strengthen their Premier League status, after avoiding relegation, were defenders Kenneth Spiteri and Sharlon Pace as well as forward Ryan Deguara. Meilak and Buttigieg were introduced as second half substitutes. Keeper Matthew Camilleri was suspended.

Under the guidance of new Irish coach Roddy Collins, Floriana kept more or less the same look as last season. With new foreign striker Simmonds failing to get his papers in order on time for yesterday’s match, the Greens had loaned keeper Bernard Paris in goal and the returning Christian Cassar and Clifton Ciantar in their starting line-up. New Irish Roberto Brincat, on loan from San Gwann

In the humid temperatures at Ta’ Qali one could not expect a better fare. A tepid first half was riddled with niggling fouls (four bookings) and controversial offside decisions which hardly allowed the game to flow.

The players’ conviction was also lacking with no decent shot on goal. Floriana threatened from set pieces, Cassar executing his inviting free kicks which Brincat headed slightly over and then keeper Farrugia tipped over the bar.

Qormi hardly ever ventured into Floriana’s area and when Deguara chased Farrugia’s cross past the half hour, the alert keeper Paris rushed off his line to smother the danger.

Things slightly improved after the restart as Floriana carved the better chances, but were unlucky when twice denied by the post. On 53 minutes, from a Cassar free kick, Darmanin headed against the upright and the rebound was cleared into a corner with great difficulty by the Qormi defence. On 81 minutes, from yet another Cassar free kick, substitute Borg headed against the underside of the bar.

In between, Qormi had gone in front. On 56 minutes Effiong went past Anonam on the left, crossed low for two unmarked Qormi players. Joseph Chetcuti was the first to connect to beat keeper Paris with a low drive.

Floriana probed hard for an equaliser and their efforts were justly rewarded in the late stages. On 87 minutes, Cassar’s shot was blocked by keeper Farrugia who was rendered helpless a minute later, beaten by Orosco Anonam’s shot on the turn on Cassar’s assist.