Hamrun S 0
Floriana 1
Floriana were back in the groove yesterday after their reverse against Sliema Wanderers last. week. A goal by Ivan Woods shortly before the break was enough for the Greens to take full points, and catch up with Valletta at the top, with the latter playing tomorrow. At times, Hamrun Spartans pushed them to the limit, especially with some offensive play in the second half.
This defeat leaves Hamrun anchored to the bottom of the standings, with only one point to show from four matches. The Spartans have been found wanting in front of the opposing goal, with Gaetan Spiteri looking rusty and Anderson Ribeiro behind him looks out of place at times.
Hamrun were without central defender Roderick Fenech, who has not recovered from the shoulder injury sustained against Tarxien, although he was included among the substitutes. Massimo Grima played instead, with Calabretta as right back and Polli in a more advanced role in midfield, alongside Sammut, Mangion and Ribeiro.
Hamrun’s early flurry produced a number of raking crosses from the flanks inside the Floriana area that gave the Green’s rearguard some really embarrassing moments.
Spiteri was close, but failed to conclude as the ball bounced in front of him and keeper Bartolo, deputising for the suspended Amamoo.
Hamrun were forced to substitute the injured Silva after only 20 minutes, by which Floriana seemed to have settled in well into the match.
Mintoff’s shot was palmed out by keeper Borg but Joseph Borg headed over the bar.
With large gaps in the middle of the pitch, both sides looked disjointed and struggled to provide decent service to Ribeiro and Spiteri in the Hamrun attack as well as to Odwing and Woods in the Floriana forward line.
On the half hour, Tyrone Farrugia’s erratic headed clearance on substitute Porcari’s cross from the right, fell to Spiteri who again failed to capitalise.
The Floriana central defender was immediately substituted by Clyde Borg, as Doffo retreated in defence.
Floriana took the lead five minutes before the break. Ivan Woods controlled Pisani’s pass and advanced before beating keeper Borg with a low diagonal shot.
Gaetan Spiteri did not make an appearance for Hamrun in the second half, substituted by Lee Agius, and Porcari advanced in attack.
Within three minutes, Grima’s meaty free kick from edge of the area, went narrowly wide.
But on 53 minutes, Joseph Borg went inside the Hamrun area on Clyde’s pass but failed to put his effort on target.
As Hamrun probed for an equaliser, Floriana tried to strike the killer blow. Mangion’s floating free kick on 55 minutes was headed by Porcari but he was denied by the alert keeper Bartolo who turned into a corner.
On 68 minutes, Porcari headed Polli’s testing cross over as Hamrun were putting some sustained pressure.
Floriana put in Christian Caruana, who had missed the previous match, for the last 20 minutes.
The nippy forward soon made his mark. He went past his opponents from the left but his shot was held out by keeper Borg as Mintoff miskicked the loose ball.
Hamrun laid siege on Floriana in the dying minutes. Mangion’s free kick was headed tamely by Grima in the keeper’s hands and in added time, Ribeiro’s close range effort was blocked but Porcari failed to make contact with the rebound.
Hamrun S: O. Borg, N. Gacesa, M. Grima, M. Gauci, L. Silva (C. Toneto Porcari), C. Polli, R. Mangion, K. Sammut, G. Calabretta (S. Bonnici), A. Ribeiro, G. Spiteri (L. Agius)
Coach: J. Zammit
Floriana: M. Bartolo, O. Bugeja, M. Micallef, T. Farrugia (C. Borg), D. Pisani, P. Doffo, I. Woods, C. Cassar, J. Borg (C. Caruana), J. Mintoff (T. Paris), B. Odwong
Coach: M. Woods
Referee: K. Azzopardi
Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, M. Scerri
4th official: A. Arciola
Scorers: I. Woods 40
Yellow cards: G. Calabretta, A. Ribeiro, M. Micallef, M. Grima,C. Borg
Player of the match: Pablo Doffo (Floriana)
TMI top 3: 1. P. Doffo 2. N. Gacesa 3. C. Cassar
Attendance: 1,150