Floriana were overtaken by Tarxien Rainbows in second place of the BOV Premier League when succumbing to defeat, after four consecutive wins, which dampens their high spirits of late.

In the absence of the injured Daniel Nwoke, Floriana’s attack looked blunt, although Draganov, playing as main striker instead, and Woods behind him, tried to create space for each other with their movement. Draganov’s goal when the team was already trailing by three goals failed to arouse their disappointed fans. Floriana did produce a late flurry, but their huffing and puffing, especially after Tyrone Farrugia’s dismissal, was in hope rather than expecatation.

Floriana also had Pablo Doffo suspended. Marcel Fernandez started instead in midfield. The Portuguese’s execution of set pieces was good. Thomas Paris played in front of the defence with Mano Micallef dropping again to left back.

The match’s turning point was surely Daniel Bueno’s inclusion past the half hour. Whether planned or providential, the substitution paid dividends for Tarxien as the Brazilian scored a goal and was involved in the other two scored by fellow Brazilian Cristiano Rodriguez, to put the Rainbows back in second place,albeit 12 points adrift of leaders Valletta.

Tarxien also gave a start to Gianluca Calabretta in midfield, instead of Mark Tanti.

For a 20-minute spell in the first half there was pace and cut and threat. After a barren first 13 minutes, we were presented with the first real chance. Woods’ firm header for Floriana on a Fernandez corner, was blocked on the line by keeper Cassar.

On the quarter hour, Farrugia played a through ball to Draganov, whose low shot was only parried by the keeper and Galea could clear the danger.

Tarxien threatened with a Costa low cross that fell to the unmarked Anonam who shot narrowly wide.

On the other end, Floriana also went close with a Caruana shot on the turn on a Fernandez free kick.

Then, on 33 minutes, Bueno went in for Costa and hardly two minutes later provided the cross for Cristiano Rodriguez to head past the helpless keeper Saidi with good elevation.

Tarxien went close to double their lead just before the break. Again Bueno was the protagonist when he beat the onrushing keeper on Pacheco’s cross inside the area, but Farrugia cleared on time to avoid what looked a second goal for the Rainbows.

Tarxien kept up the initiative in the second period and on 51 minutes scored again when on a Grioli long cross, Mariano Bueno darted in to beat the keeper with a stooping header.

Floriana put in Dzhorov for Pisani but on 57 they collapsed to concede the third and fatal goal. Bueono did all the footwork from the byeline on the left, passed back for Cristiano Rodriguez to finish off with a well hit first timer.

Tarxien remained in complete control and Floriana ran the risk of being hit with a goal deluge as Bueno’s header, on Pacheco’s free kick, landed on the roof of the net.

Floriana tried to regroup and on 68 minutes Woods played the ball down to Fernandez who brought off a smart save from keeper Cassar.

Two minutes later the Greens even pulled a goal back as Dragomir Draganov headed in Dzhorov’s corner from the left.

But on 72 minutes they suffered a further setback when their central defender Tyrone Farrugia was sent off for a second caution.

Tarxien nearly capitalised with a triangular move started by substitute Tanti, wide to Anonam who crossed for Bueno to see his effort blocked by the grounded Saidi.

Keeper Cassar turned a Woods’s shot into a corner in the late stages and Floriana again protested for a Woods’ effort which beat the keeper but was cleared by Pareira, claiming that the ball had crossed the line.

But Tarxien were not to be denied.

Tarxien R D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana (R. Mintoff), E. Pereira, G. Calabretta (M. Tanti), R. Costa (M. Bueno), C. Rodriguez, S. Pacheco, O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli

Coach N. Coleiro

Floriana L. Saidi, B. Said, T. Paris, I. Woods, C. Caruana (O. Bugeja), C. Borg, D. Pisani (K. Dzhorov), M. Micallef, M. Fernandez (S. Borg), D. Draganov, T. Farrugia

Coach T. Raykov

Referee A. Azzopardi

Asst.refs K. Borg, C. Francalanza

4th official C. Lautier

Scorers C. Rodriguez 35, 57, D. Bueno 51, D. Draganov 70

Yellow cards T. Farrugia, L. Galea, G. Calabretta, J. Grioli, M. Micallef

Red card T. Farrugia

Player of the match D. Bueno (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3 1. D. Bueno 2. C. Rodriguez 3. I. Woods

Attendance 1,633