Floriana 2

Hamrun S. 0

Hamrun Spartans have not beaten Floriana this season. Yesterday they slumped to a two-nil defeat, courtesy of a brace by Daniel Nwoke, who has now taken his tally to eight league goals since joining the Greens in January.

The urgency and commitment Hamrun had shown in draws against Valletta and Birkirkara were missing yesterday against Floriana.

Not that Floriana were much better, but their game always looked capable of outpowering their opponents. Floriana scored their goals in crucial moments too – in the opening minutes of each half.

By virtue of this second win on the trot and Birkirkara’s defeat against Valletta, Floriana have climbed back to second place.

So much of the play was chaotic and frenzied but Hamrun’s frailties in defence always threatened to let them down.

They made some changes, mostly in defence. Vukanic was suspended. Steve Bonnici started at right back and Roderick Fenech was also given the nod after injury. His partnership with Milovic in the centre was far from harmonious as the Hamrun rearguard looked frequently off the pace whenever Floriana threw the embarrassment. Lee Agius made way for Massimo Grima, advanced in midfield.

Floriana, who had beaten Tarxien with relative ease in the previous match, were again without the still injured Christian Caruana, who went in as a substitute short of the hour.

An early goal after six minutes put Floriana in the driving seat. A Cassar free kick caused a defensive scramble inside the Hamrun area, which Daniel Nwoke solved out by knocking the ball over the line.

The Spartans looked disjointed, as Floriana held the initiative, and it was almost 20 minutes when they came about with a Chipev shot from a distance.

The Hamrun defence was again in disarray on 38 minutes as Farrugia’s free kick was headed by Draganov but the ball was cleared off the line by Milovic.

Just before the break, Grima shot a free kick against the wall but Floriana broke away with Woods crossing low for Draganov to arrive fractionally late.

Then, referee Sant limped off with some muscle problem and Kevin Azzopardi took over for the second half.

But unfortunately play did not improve much. Floriana, although slightly better were hardly imaginative. Hamrun were even worse.

On 55 minutes, Woods breezed past a static Bonnici from the left and played the ball to Nwoke who shot over.

Hardly two minutes later though, Nwoke capitalized on Fenech’s slip, won the challenge and was clear to beat keeper Borg with a well placed shot.

Hamrun’s flaccid reaction came from Shields, who shot over when Chipev laid the ball in his path.

But the Spartans rearguard remained susceptible and Fenech’s headed clearance on 65 minutes hit the upright, before the Hamrun defender, who had a miserable afternoon, was substituted. Agius’ inclusion in midfield and Grima’s retreat at the back, gave their defence better security but it was too late.

It was only through inaccuracy and profligacy that Floriana, especially through Nwoke, did not add to their tally. Floriana also had a late goal by substitute Caruana disallowed for offside.