Floriana 4 Msida SJ 2

Floriana: B. Paris, J. Briffa, O. Anonam, J. Borg, J. Brincat (S. Grima), S. Lijeskic, B. Said, S. Borg, M. Spiteri (C. Borg), C. Caruana, R. Darmanin (V. Zlydarev).

Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, A. Farrugia, M. Borg, T. Farrugia, R. Baldacchino, Z. Levnaic (I. Curmi), L. Micallef (A. Spiteri), K. Mifsud, M. Ciantar (A. Formosa), E. Lattes, K. Ndaye.

Referee: M. Borg. Asst refs: I. Spiteri, M. Debono. 4th official: Andre Arciola.

Scorers: T. Farrugia, R. Darmanin 3, V. Zlydarev, E. Lattes

Yellow cards: M. Bartolo, S. Lijeskic, L. Micallef, C. Caruana, Z. Levnaic, K.Mifsud, J. Borg, A. Spiteri, V. Zlydarev, T. Farrugia.

Red card: V. Zlydarev.

Player of the match: R. Darmanin

TMI Top 3: 1. R. Darmanin (Floriana); 2. T. Farrugia (Msida SJ); 3. C. Caruana (Floriana)

HENRY BRINCAT

Floriana almost made sure of avoiding relegation - even before the Relegation Pool has started - when yesterday they beat fellow pool candidates Msida St Joseph 4-2.

The victory will enable the Greens to start the Relegation Pool on 12 points, eight points above the same Msida who will start with just four points.

In a match characterised by the 10 yellow cards issued by referee Marco Borg, most of them for some tough tackles, the Greens had to come from behind to secure their win.

In the first half, Floriana always appeared to be the better side. Caruana and Darmanin were a continuous livewire and made the most of some Msida mistakes which left much to be desired.

When Msida took the lead thanks to a splendidly taken freekick by Farrugia, it seemed as if they would eventually be able to offer a stiff challenge, but the mistakes at the back which led to the two Floriana goals, especially the second, were the turning point of the match.

In the second half, Msida reacted and attacked for long stretches in an effort to reverse the situation, but Floriana defended grimly and never really were in danger of conceding an equaliser. In actual fact, they even went on to secure their win with two more goals in the final 10 minutes. A late goal by Lattes only served for some consolation for the Saints.

Msida drew first blood with a beautifully taken freekick by Tyrone Farrugia. His rising shot beat Paris all ends up.

Floriana, however, equalised soon after when off a corner from the right, it was Ryan Darmanin, completely unmarked, who scored with a header.

Play never reached any high levels, but on the 37th minute, Caruana had a shot going close for Floriana.

At the other end on 42 minutes, it was Zoran Levniac who hit well over the post from an ideal position.

Immediately after, Floriana took the lead when Matthew Borda effected a short pass to his goalie. Darmanin was on hand to pick up his spot and hit past the helpless Bartolo.

Soon after the start of the second half, Levniac had a shot going just wide.

Msida insisted and an Ndaye overhead kick saw Bernard Paris turning to corner, from which a Tyrone Farrugia first timer was blocked to a corner.

Despite their insistent attack, Msida could never penetrate and it was the Greens who secured their win with a third goal on the 80th minute.

Ryan Darmanin received a long pass from the back and advanced to coolly beat Bartolo.

Three minutes later, it was Caruana who made all the spadework for substitute Zlydarev to beat Bartolo for a fourth time.

The match was not over yet as three minutes from the end, Lattes scored a good goal for Msida to reduce the arrears.

Before the end, Floriana substitute Zlydarev was given marching orders after being shown a second yellow card for time wasting.