Floriana 0
Marsaxlokk 4
Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, T.Templeman, E. Yanchev, R. Galabov, C. Mamo, F. Raimy (L. Lodetti), P. Pullicino, G. Sciberras, M. Deanov (S. Eboh), A. Effiong (J. Alcorse), R. Darmanin
Floriana: L. Saidi, B. Said, O. Bugeja, M. Micallef, P. Doffo, I. Woods (T. Paris), M. El Yamani (M.Fernandez), S. Borg (C. Cassar), T. Farrugia, C. Borg, D. Draganov
Referee: E. Farrugia Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, M. Scerri 4th official: M. Apap
Scorer: A. Effiong 14, 52, 79, 85
Yellow cards: M. Deanov, C. Borg
Player of the match: A. Effiong (Marsaxlokk)
TMI top 3: 1. A. Effiong 2. F. Raimy 3. P. Doffo
Marsaxlokk’s Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong scored four goals, which take his total to 12 already this season, to demolish Floriana single-handedly and condemn them to their fourth consecutive league defeat.
He exploited Floriana’s frailties in defence with some clinical finishing. He often showed Owen Bugeja, Brian Said and Tyrone Farrugia a clean pair of heels with his pacey runs that make him a lethal predator when allowed too much space.
With their primary aim, that is a place in the Championship Pool, already achieved, Marsaxlokk were further buoyed by the return from suspension of Rumen Galabov, Gareth Sciberras and Martin Deanov. But Malocolm Licari was unavailable and Templeman played as right back with Ryan Darmanin getting a start, alongside Effiong in attack, against his former club. They showed a determination to take the play to their opponents.
Floriana were devoid of ideas and in the absence of Christaina Caruana, who is still nursing a nose injury and the not yet recovered Daniel Nwoke, they had little creativity and no cutting edge. That is only partially the fault of the blunt strike force though. It is also because of the poverty of the play behind them, with Sacha and Clyde Borg, as well as Draganov, outplayed in midfield.
Dzhorov was not even included in their squad. Defender Duncan Pisani was suspended and Owen Bugeja was preferred to Thomas Paris at the back.
Floriana gave a debut start to their Egyptian striker Mohamed El Yamani and it was he who tested keeper Gauci first with a low shot, turned into a corner, within the first minute.
From Doffo’s ensuing corner, another El Yamani header was turned into a corner.
But Marsaxlokk forged ahead with practically their first genuine attack. Darmanin played the ball forward fro Alfred Effiong to advance from the right and flick the ball over the onrushing keeper Saidi.
Marsaxlokk again went close with a Darmanin effort just missing the target after a good move by Deanov and Effiong.
As Floriana tried to regroup, Doffo played a pass towards Draganov, who was blocked into a corner by Galabov. From the resultant corner, Draganov headed over.
Marsaxlokk still looked menacing going forward. On 40 minutes, Effiong was through but was thwarted by Saidi, who footed out. Sciberras tried to lob the ball from a distance into an unattended goal, but Bugeja and Farrugia combined to clear the danger.
With halftime looming, Floriana went close. Micallef robbed Sciberras of the ball, advanced and shot but keeper Gauci blocked providentially to deny the Greens an equaliser.
Matters grew more complicated for Floriana when they conceded the second goal within seven minutes of the second half. Effiong breezed past the slow Floriana defence on a Deanov through pass to beat keeper Saidi.
Both sides fluffed good chances. Darmanin headed Deanov’s cross wide and Draganov skied the ball on Micallef’s pass.
On 73 minutes, Effiong went past Bugeja on the right and crossed low. Darmanin’s first timer was deflected into a corner.
But six minutes later, Effiong created space in the Floriana defence as he took possession on Sciberras’ pass and, marked by Said, played the ball wide to the unmarked Darmanin. The latter’s effort was parried by the keeper but Effiong pounced on the loose ball to tuck away his hat-trick.
Despite putting in Christian Cassar and also Fernandez for El Yamani, Floriana were unable to trouble the Marsaxlokk rearguard, especially after they were forced to substitute the injured Woods.
There was still time for out-of-sorts Floriana to concede a fourth goal five minutes from time. Alfred Effiong was again the executioner, shooting in the roof of the net after beating Tyrone Farrugia’s challenge.