This was a topsy-turvy match that saw Floriana finally emerge winners in the odd goal in seven against Qormi, after taking an early lead and then twice falling behind, before finally scoring the winner that now takes them alone in second place, ten points adrift of leaders Valletta.
An eventful first half produced four goals, one after only 18 seconds, and a highly controversial sending off for Qormi just before the break.
In the second half, Floriana capitalised on their numerical superiority, with Nwoke too fast for Qormi to handle effectively, and scored twice, after even falling behind early after the restart.
Daniel Nwoke scored his fifth league goal for Floriana in three matches when he took possession after Qormi lost the ball from kick off and foraged inside the Qormi area to shoot past the helpless keeper Camilleri with less than one minute on the clock.
Qormi dusted themselves after that early setback and started to show the inclination to go forward with some fluency.
They fashioned their attacks mostly down the right flank, with the forays of Cleaven Frendo, who often got the better of Thomas Paris, yesterday making his debut in the Floriana defence after joining the club in midweek.
Frendo headed Osagie’s cross over and then sent an inviting free kick which was missed by all and sundry.
It was only after 18 minutes that Floriana, with the not fully fit Ivan Woods on the bench, threatened again. Said ran from the blind side for a Doffo corner but skied the ball.
On 22 minutes Qormi levelled matters. Cleaven Frendo’s shot bounced awkwardly in front of keeper Saidi who was unable to stop it from hitting the back of the net.
Three minutes later Qormi even forged ahead. Chetcuti played the ball wide to Frendo on the right. The latter’s deep cross was met by Josue Souza who headed past the Floriana shot stopper.
Floriana suddenly had to claw their way back into the game. They were handed a lifeline three minutes before the break. Qormi lost possession on the left as they tried to break from defence. Draganov crossed for Christian Caruana to hit past keeper Camilleri.
A minute later Qormi were down to ten men in the most talked about episode. Micallef fell under Bartolo’s challenge outside the area on the left and the referee not only deemed it a foul, but also harshly booked the Qormi defender for the second time in the match and thus gave him marching orders.
That could have had a negative impact on the rest of the match although Qormi managed to score again seven minutes into the second half when awarded a penalty after Pisani felled Chetcuti inside the area and Josue Souza stepped up to tuck it away.
But Floriana were soon to exploit their numerical superiority when they put in Sascha Borg for Pisani and Micallef retreated in defence. Past the hour a Doffo free kick caused a frantic scramble inside the Qormi area and Tyrone Farrugia capitalized to stab the ball in from close range.
A Doffo dangerous low cross found no support until on 68 minutes, Farrugia played a short pass to Daniel Nwoke who advanced and resisted the challenge of Qormi’s defenders to finish off the move.
That proved the winner for Floriana as Qormi could not summon enough energy to trouble their rearguard any further even though they effected all three substitutions.
They now linger dangerously in the danger zone.
Floriana L. Saidi, B. Said, M. Micallef, D. Pisani (S. Borg), T. Farrugia, P. Doffo, C. Borg, T. Paris, C. Caruana (J. Borg), D. Nwoke (M. Fernandez), D. Draganov
Coach T. Raykov
Qormi M. Camilleri, J. Vandelainoite, M. Bartolo, K. Fenech, J. Chetcuti (B. Camilleri), A. Bello-Osagie (L. Sciberras), G. Mallia, J. Bondin, C. Frendo, H. Kang (V. Ibraima), J. Souza
Coach S. Azzopardi
Referee F. Zammit
Asst.refs E. Spiteri, W. Debattista
4th official K. Azzopardi
Scorers D. Nwoke 1, 68, C. Frendo 22, J. Souza 25, 52 pen, C. Caruana 41, T. Farrugia 62
Yellow cards M. Bartolo, D. Pisani, K. Fenech, C. Frendo, P. Doffo
Red card M. Bartolo
Player of the match D. Nwoke (Floriana)
TMI top 3 1. P. Doffo 2. D. Nwoke 3. C. Frendo
Attendance 1,528