Vittoriosa S.-Floriana 1-3

Vittoriosa:  J.M. Vella , O. Sidibe, A. Spiteri, M. Pereira, G. Martin, M. Barbara (J. Camilleri) , O. Guerrero, C. Spiteri, C. Brincat (F. Ariaganda),  J.F. Aguiar, M. Camilleri (Siraj Arab)

Floriana: D. Hanford, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, C. Caruana (S. Pisani), I. Coronado (G. Favero), D. Pinheiro, D. Baldacchino, C. Borg (I. Galea), J. Borg, L. Casha, G. Muir

Referee:  S. Spiteri

Asst.refs:  D. Sultana, J. Spiteri

Additional asst.refs: P. Caruana, P. Farrugia

4th official: T. Farrugia

Scorers: M. Pereira 12, D. Pinheiro 16, L. Casha 44, G. Muir 73 pen

Yellow cards: C. Borg, M. Pereira, M. Barbara, O. Guerrero, S. Arab, S. Pisani

Player of the match: L. Casha (Floriana)

TMI top 3:  1. G. Muir  2. L. Casha  3. M. Pereira

Attendance:  420

SILVIO VELLA

Floriana kept up the challenge for a top-six finish, beating Vittoriosa Stars, after recovering from a goal down, to keep up with Naxxar Lions on 18 points in the standings.

In all fairness, there was nothing fluent or refined about the Greens’ play, and at times they looked devoid of ideas. They enjoyed the majority of possession, especially in the second period but created very little opportunities.

Still on a high after their win against Tarxien Rainbows, Floriana were forced to replace the suspended Brooke Farrugia with Joseph Borg. They gave a start to Diogo Pinheiro as Giacomo Favero was only included as a second half substitute.

Vittoriosa went into the match in a dishevelled state. Their anxiety was tangible and their lead lasted less than five minutes. They were left deeply frustrated with a contentious decision that went against them in Floriana’s third goal from a penalty, at a time they were hoping to get something from the match.

The Vittoriosa defence, already struggling without the suspended Samir Arab and Malcolm Buttigieg, endured some nervous moments. They gave a debut to a new African foreigner, Ousamane Sidibe in central defence, as Jean Mathias Vella replaced Sean Cini in goal but was not so inspiring.

And when Clive Brincat got injured towards the hour, they introduced the former Mosta midfielder Francisco Ariaganda. Gilbert Martin was given a start, supporting Marcelo Pereira in attack as Vittoriosa struggled for movement and creativity up front.

The return of Oscar Guerrero from suspension failed to lift the gloom though, with another disjointed performance.

Two goals inside the first quarter hour hinted towards a good start of the match. The Floriana keeper Hanford  was already called to hold out Martin’s shot from inside the area before Vittoriosa forged ahead after 12 minutes. Hanford was rendered helpless by Marcelo Pereira’s shot at the top left hand corner, but Floriana restored equilibrium hardly four minutes later with an equally powerful Diogo Pinheiro drive from outside the area that beat the Vittoriosa keeper Vella.

But all the early promise soon evaporated into thin air and a lull in proceedings followed. But with halftime looming, Floriana took the lead. Caruana threaded a pass wide on the right to Joseph Borg who crossed towards the middle for Luca Casha to connect and tap in from close range.

Floriana were slightly better after the interval but they continued to struggle for rhythm. They only soothed their nerves with a third goal 17 minutes from time when awarded a debatable penalty on a call by additional assistant referee Paul Caruana, apparantly for some handling inside the area. That brought hot protests from the Vittoriosa players but Gary Muir stepped up to beat keeper Vella from the spot.

With Vittoriosa visibly rattled, Floriana could have even scored a fourth, with the promising Casha thumping his drive from inside the area against the bar eight minutes from time.