The draw between neighbours Valletta and Floriana served both sides little purpose. Floriana will just the same start the second phase in third place on the 21-point mark when the points are halved while Valletta have seen their lead over second placed Hibernians now trimmed to just two points.

This derby was no classic and failed to whet the appetite of the colourful supporters of both sides and the noisy fanfare was reduced to near silence for long stretches.

Despite their abundant talent and general dominance, Valletta failed to win this game. They looked nervy, at times uncertain and horribly disjointed, especially after they trailed their opponents. They were denied by the woodwork and managed to draw level on the stroke of halftime, thanks to a Zongo free kick. That apart, there was little else of note.

With the driving energy of Ivan Woods, until injured and forced to be substituted by the hour, Floriana caused their opponents more than one uncomfortable moment.

Bouyed by an early lead, Floriana’s promising start put them in the driving seat, although yesterday they were without the injured playmaker Christian Cassar and Christian Caruana only made a substitute appearance in the second half. After 11 minutes Mintoff played a deep cross from the left and the unmarked Ivan Woods stooped low to put his angled header beyond keeper Hogg’s reach.

Valletta took time to regroup and although Briffa’s effort rebounded off the bar past the quarter hour, their build-ups were too predictable and Floriana were able to counter their primacy for most of the half.

Midway through the half, the Floriana keeper Jansen turned an Edmond Agius shot into a corner.

On 38 minutes Woods advanced dangerously down the right but his rising shot was tipped over the bar by the Valletta keeper Hogg.

Floriana though failed to hold to their lead and when in the half’s added time Valletta were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Oussain Zongo placed his powerful shot beyond keeper Jansen’s reach to level matters.

Valletta went into the second half in more lively fashion and pressed their opponents. In a Valletta raid, Zongo put his final shot wide before a Briffa through ball put Denni clear, only for the Valletta player to mess his conclusion when faced by the keeper.

Towards the hour, the injured Woods had to be substituted by Christian Caruana. The Greens also put in Grabowski for Alandson on 63 minutes and Valletta responded with Gilbert Agius’ and Effiong’s inclusion.

Valletta threatened on 70 minutes. Denni played a deep cross from the left but Azzopardi put his free header over the bar.

On the other end, Akoto failed to put his shot on target after a goalmouth scramble inside the Valletta area as the game continued to flash from one box to the other in a frantic and somewhat scrappy fashion.

With tactics long forgotten, the Floriana backline had to hold off Valletta’s three-pronged attack of Denni, Effiong and Zongo, with Barbosa behind them. This they achieved without much fuss till the very end to hold on to a deserved draw.

Valletta A. Hogg, J.Caruana, S. Borg, S. Panandetiguiri (W. Barbosa), A. Cekulajevs (A. Effiong), I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, E. Agius, O. Zongo, D. Dos Santos, M. Mifsud (G. Agius)

Coach J. Zerafa

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

Coach M. Woods

Referee M. Apap

Asst.refs M. Debono, D. Sultana

4th official C. Lautier

Scorers I. Woods 11, O. Zongo 45

Yellow cards S. Panandetiguiri, I. Woods, A. Effiong, E. Akoto, I. Azzopardi, S. Borg, A. Grabowski

Player of the match O. Zongo (Valletta)

TMI top 3 1. R. Briffa 2. O. Zongo 3. E. Akoto

Attendance 4,015