Floriana-Qormi 3-2

Floriana: D. Hanford, A. Scicluna, S. Pisani, C. Caruana (L. Casha), I. Cortonado, D. Pinheiro (R. Emeka), J. Xerri, C. Borg, B. Farrugia (I. Galea), G. Muir, S. Borg

Qormi: S. Sultana, D. Pisani, A. Effiong, L. Grech, E. Vella, T. Caruana, J. Silva, J. Bondin, L. Cantoro, R. Bajada (S. Quinteri), J.Gabriel

Referee:  F. Zammit

Asst.refs:  E. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: D. Pinheiro 9, 58, L. Grech 53, D. Pisani 75 og, A. Effiong 84

Yellow cards: S. Pisani, C. Borg, S. Quinteri, J. Silva, A. Scicluna, J. Gabriel, J.Bondin

Player of the match: D. Pinheiro (Floriana)

TMI top 3:  1. I. Coronado  2. J. Gabriel  3. J. Silva

Floriana, under new club president Riccardo Gaucci, took  a step in the right direction yesterday as they ended a five-game losing streak, winning against Qormi in their first match of the Relegation Pool.

Although Floriana were superior for most parts of the match, the Greens’ success was mostly down to Qormi’s defensive frailties as they conceded twice from Diogo Pinheiro and an own goal by Duncan Pisani. Showing some sloppy defending in all cases.

Qormi coach Karel Zeman was forced to field a makeshift defence because of absences of the suspended Roderick Sammut, Owen Bugeja and Giorgio Gianola as well as the injured goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

Jonathan Bondin and Triston Caruana were the two central defenders, with wide backs Duncan Pisani and Emerson Vella. Steve Sultana played between the sticks. Roderick Bajada was given a start in front of the defence.

Qormi, buoyed by their progress to teh semi fianl of the U*BET FA Trophy, can take heart from their two goals scored in the match.

Floriana, themselves bereft of the suspended Ibok Edet and Joseph Borg, capitalised on their opponents’ vulnerability at the back. After six minutes, Christian Caruana had already been put clear by Sascha Borg’s lob inside the Qormi area. He hesitated too long and finally played a high ball off target.

But three minutes later, Floriana opened the scoreline. Diogo Pinheiro capitalised on a static Qormi defence and picked his spot from inside the area to beat the helpless keeper Sultana with a drilling shot.

Qormi tried to regroup but Grech shot feebly into the goalkeeper’s hands on a Jorge Silva cross. Canttoro’s long range shot found the Floriana keeper Hanford on the alert before Floriana squandered a good chance to double their lead midway through the half. Coronado beat Bondin’s challenge on a high ball as he ran towards goal but keeper Sultana did well to hold out his shot.

Qormi should have scored an equaliser, two minutes before the break as the volatile Grech went past two opponents inside the Floriana area but thumped his goalbound effort against the upright and the chance went begging.

But, to their credit, Qormi were not demorilised and went into the second half in more lively fashion. On Bondin’s cross, Jorge Silva laid the ball to Cantoro inside the Floriana area. His shot on the turn went over.

On 53 minutes, Jorge Silva again provided the assist for Qormi’s deserved equaliser. He played a splitting pass for Leighton Grech to advance on the right and beat the onrushing keeper Hanford with a low strike.

Qormi’s joy was short-lived though as Floriana retained the lead only five minutes later. The Qormi defence was again found wanting as Coronado went through three opponents and crossed from the byeline on the right for Diogo Pinheiro to flick the ball over the line.

Qormi looked demorilised and Cantoro’s half chance on 69 minutes was well saved by keeper Hanford. On 75 minutes Coronoda sent a low cross from the right. Qormi defender Duncan Pisani, facing his own goal, shot past his own keeper as he tried to avid the ball from reaching Clyde Borg.

With the Qormi backline completely out of sorts, Triston Caruana lost possession inside his own area but Coronado failed to put his effort on target.

Qormi hit one back six minutes from normal time. On Joao Gabriel’s corner from the left, Alfred Effiong rose high to beat keeper Hanford with a powerful header.

But that was too little too late. Floriana were already home and dry by then.