Floriana 4

Hamrun S 2

In an enthralling and evenly balanced match that produced six goals and plenty of action, Floriana extended their unbeaten run to six matches after edging Hamrun Spartans to move closer to second placed Hibernians.

They fought back from a goal down to score twice, before being caught by Hamrun’s equaliser before halftime. But Floriana scored twice in the second half to take full points and keep close to the chasing pack before the Christmas break.

The Greens introduced two new foreigners, international Eric Akoto from Togo as centre back and Nigerian forward Onome Sodje, who also scored one of his side’s goals. They had Christian Caruana returning after injury and Ivan Woods making a start. And with their midfielder Christian Cassar suspended, John Mintoff, Thomas Paris and Ryan Darmanin had to make way, sitting on the bench.

Perhaps quite unexpectedly, Hamrun, who had Massimo Grima back in defence, made the more assertive start, with Shields and Ribeiro combining well to telling effect. Shields was quick to shoot at goal on Mangion’s low pass but Floriana keeper Bartolo stretched himself to block on the ground after ten minutes.

Midway through the half, as Floriana were getting more involved in the prceedings, Hamrun hit them cold. Shields played the ball wide on the left for Gianluca Calabretta to advance from near the byeline and beat keeper Bartolo with a well placed shot from a very tight angle.

Hamrun’s joy lasted only three minutes though as Floriana hit back immediately with a well executed equaliser. Doffo’s deep free kick from the left was cleared in the path of Clyde Borg whose tame effort put keeper Cassar off balance only for the alert Manolito Micallef to toe-poke the ball from close range.

Suddenly it was Floriana who took the bit between their teeth. On the half hour, Grabowski’s shot was held out by keeper Cassar, Woods crossed the loose ball but Grabowski missed the target.

On 34 minutes, Floriana forged ahead for the first time in the match. Doffo again started the movement with a free kick from the centre. Christian Caruana, with his back towards goal, connected well to flick the ball at the low corner to Cassar’s left.

Hamrun however managed to level matters five minutes before the break, when Carlo Polli’s squeezed shot off Pisani looped over the stranded keeper Bartolo.

The second half was equally entertaining with half chances at both ends. Floriana put in Joseph Borg for Pisani but Hamrun were first to threaten with a Calabretta shot repelled by keeper Bartolo.

Floriana also went close on 53 minutes when Sodje ran inside area, his cut-back pass from the byeline was met by Woods whose shot was deflected into a corner.

Caruana headed wide on Doffo’s cross from the right before being substituted and Mangion found space, but his shot was deflected into a corner. Past the hour, Ribeiro played the ball square to Sammut who hit first time slightly over.

On 64 minutes Sodje should have done better when he ran clear from half pitch on Woods’ pass, went past the onrushing keeper but his low diagonal drive lacked enough power and defender Bonnici could clear.

But Sodje made amends on 67 minutes when he nipped in behind the square Hamrun defence to connect onto Grabowski’s testing cross from the left to head in low past the static keeper Cassar.

Hamrun’s response, in search of an equaliser, came from Shields on 71 minutes, but challenged by two Floriana defenders inside the area, he missed the target.

A minute later Floriana sealed the issue with their fourth goal, courtesy of a clinical finish by one of their best players Andre Grabowski. He took the ball in his stride on Woods’ pass, juggled it past Gauci and hit past the helpless keeper Cassar.

Hamrun did have some breakaways after that, but Floriana were not so naïve to let their lead slip away.

Floriana M. Bartolo, E. Akoto, O. Bugeja, P. Doffo, M. Micallef, C. Caruana (T. Paris), I. Woods (J. Mintoff), D. Pisani (J. Borg), A. Grabowski, C. Borg, O. Sodje

Coach M. Woods

Hamrun S A. Cassar, S. Bonnici, M. Gauci, N. Gacesa (R. Spiteri), M. Grima, R. Mangion (G. Azzopardi), C. Polli, K. Sammut, G. Calabretta (D. Camilleri), A. Ribeiro, D. Shields

Coach J. Zammit

Referee M. Borg

Asst.refs E. Spiteri, R. Vella

4th official F. Zammit

Scorers G. Calabretta 24, M. Micallef 27, C. Caruana 39, C. Polli 40, O. Sodje 67, A. Grabowski 72

Yellow cards C. Caruana, C. Polli, P. Doffo

Player of the match A. Grabowski (Floriana)

TMI top 3 1. P. Doffo 2. C. Polli 3. A. Grabowski