Floriana-Qormi 3-0
Floriana: D. Hanford, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, S. Pisani (L. Casha 65’), C. Caruana, I. Coronado (G. Tabone 83’), D. Pinheiro de Sousa (G. Favero 83’), C. Borg, B. Farrugia, G. Muir, S. Borg
Qormi: M. Farrugia, A. Effiong, R. Sammut, L. Grech, R. Bajada, T. Caruana, O. Bugeja, J. Bondin (D. Pisani 31’), R. Innocenti (S. Sultana 80’), M. Petrassi, F. Santaguida (L. Gabrieli 72’)
Scorers: Igor Coronado
Yellow Cards: Ibok Edet 26min (F), Alfred Effiong 46min (Q), Andre Scicluna 52min (F), Brooke Farrugia 58min (F), Owen Bugeja 69min (Q)
Red Card: Owen Bugeja 71min (Q)
Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Thomas Debono
BOV Player of the Match: Igor Coronado (F)
Attendance: 787
Floriana claimed an important victory when they defeated Qormi 3-0 in a boring match that became exciting in the final minutes with Floriana scoring two goals in a space of few seconds to kill the game.
Qormi disappointed in this match as, apart from Alfred Effiong, the other foreigners didn’t make a difference in their team.
Floriana now climb one point above the same Qormi, Tarxien and Balzan and level on points with Vittoriosa Stars.
From their last outing Floriana made two changes with Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa and Ibok Edet who returned from suspension taking the place of the injured Joseph Borg and Francesco Guzman who has now joined first division side Msida St Joseph. Also missing was Gary Roberts. Qormi had Giuseppe Belluci and Christian Terribile missing while Gianluca Nucera started on the bench.
On the other hand Leighton Grech started the match with Federico Santaguida returning and Marco Petrassi making his debut.
Qormi created the first danger after only one minute when Effiong provided a good through pass to Leighton Grech but after lobbing over Hanford, Sacha Borg cleared the danger.
Six minutes later Qormi were again dangerous when Alfred Effiong recieved a good ball and made his well known run but his shot finished just wide of the right post.
Floriana took the lead on the 15th minute when Steve Pisani passed to Igor Coronado who controlled the ball and struck a low shot that beat Farrugia.
Floriana could have doubled their lead when Brooke Farrugia made a good dribble in the penalty area but instead of crossing the ball tried to score but Matthew Farrugia saved the shot.
After Qormi had an opportunity from a corner with a header from Effiong that was saved easily by Hanford on the 38th minute, Floriana had a chance when Coronado passed to Steve Pisani but his low shot was easily saved by Farrugia. Four minutes later, a shot from Diego Pinheiro de Sousa finished inches wide.
The second half was quite boring with most of play focusing in the midfield zone. Triston Caruana had a free-kick saved by Hanford on the 53rd minute while on the 68th minute a volley from long range by Brooke Farrugia was well saved by Farrugia.
Qormi were reduced to 10 men on the 71st minute when Owen Bugeja was given marching orders after two yellow cards in a space of two minutes.
Enjoying numerical superiority, Floriana could have buried the match but Farrugia saved a good shot by Coronado.
Floriana were awarded a penalty on the 79th minute when Luca Casha was fouled in the penalty area by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia with referee Clayton Pisani ordering a penalty and also giving marching orders to Farrugia with a straight red card. From the spotkick, captain Gary Muir beat substitute Steve Sultana.
Floriana sealed the match two minutes later when Pinheiro de Sousa exchanged the ball with Christian Caruana and, after beating Sultana, slotted home with a cool finish.