Floriana 1

Marsaxlokk 1

Floriana: L. Saidi, D. Pisani, T. Farrugia, P. Doffo, T. Paris, M. Micallef, C. Borg (J. Borg), C. Cassar, M. El Yamani (D. Draganov) (S. Borg), I. Woods, D. Nwoke

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, F. Raimy, R. Darmanin (C. Brincat), G. Sciberras, A. Effiong, M. Licari (P. Pullicino), T. Templeman, M. Deanov, E. Yanchev, R. Galabov

Referee: A. Azzopardi asst.refs: I. Spiteri, E. Spiteri 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: R. Darmanin 44, C. Caruana 75

Yellow cards: C. Borg, P. Doffo, F. Raimy, D. Pisani, A. Effiong

Player of the match: M. Deanov (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top 3: 1. F. Raimy 2. M. Deanov 3. T. Farrugia

Attendance: 1,102

Floriana and Marsaxlokk played a one-all draw between them that leaves them separated by only one point in second and third place respectively.

Marsaxlokk took the lead just before halftime and could have even doubled that in the second half, even denied by the post, but after effecting some substitutions, Floriana cranked up the action in the final quarter hour and obtained a deserved draw that keeps them hoping for European competition next season.

Florent Raimy returned to the Marsaxlokk side, with Luca Lodetti making way. Galabov retreated as centre back alongside Yanchev, with hat-trick hero Ryan Darmanin again handed a start in attack.

Floriana had Christian Caruana absent as Clyde Borg was given a start in midfield. With Pablo Doffo playing as centre back, the Greens somehow lacked creativity.

Both sides took into this match in some vein of good form, following good wins in their previous outings.

Both teams relied on the powerful runs of their strikers – Alfred Effiong for Marsaxlokk and Daniel Nwoke for Floriana – who have scored 26 league goals between them. Yesterday the strikers were both deadlocked by the tight marking of Tyrone Farrugia and Rumen Galabov respectively.

Floriana opened with more endevour with Micallef going inside the Marsaxlokk area, with a persistent individual effort, but shot tamely.

Towards the quarter hour, Nwoke went past Galabov but was stopped by Yanchev into a corner. Floriana’s Nigerian again cut through the middle and shot narrowly wide.

But looking tetchy and uncreative, Floriana failed to impose themselves on a well organised Marsaxlokk who took a grip on the match in the half’s late stages.

On 41 minutes Effiong delivered an inviting low cross to the unmarked Darmanin but with only the keeper to beat, he mishit his shot and a good chance went to waste.

One minute before the break, Marsaxlokk took the lead in a fortuitous manner. With Darmanin ad Farrugia chasing a long ball and keeper Saidi rushing off his line, Farrugia’s clearance hit the Marsaxlokk forward and the ball ran loose against the foot of the post and over the line.

It was a soft goal for Floriana to concede before halftime.

However for the first half hour of the second half, Marsaxlokk looked good value for their advantage. Effiong was pivotal and Deanov ever predatory as they moved forward with increasing fluency. Efforts by Templeman and Darmanin narrowly missed the target.

Past the hour, Floriana put in Draganov for El Yamani. The substitute laid down the ball to Woods who shot over.

On 68 minutes, Woods won the ball in midfield, played one-two with Pisani but keeper Gauci saved his low shot.

On 70 minutes, Marsaxlokk put in Brincat in defence for Darmanin as Licari moved upfield. Two minutes later, on Licari’s pass, Effiong thumped his shot against the upright.

Licari’s header on a Raimy cross was saved by keeper Saidi.

But the goal came on the other end on 75 minutes. Substitute Joseph Borg sent a deep cross inside Marsaxlokk area and Christian Cassar hit in first time with a spectacular scissors kick to level matters.

In the late stages, with Floriana dominating proceedings, they threatened again when keeper Gauci fumbled a Cassar free kick but Galabov cleared the danger as the Greens ended the match on the ascendancy.