Floriana-Vittoriosa 1-2
Floriana: D. Hanford, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, S. Pisani (C. Caruana), I. Coronado, D. Pinheiro, J. Xerri (E. Briffa), C. Borg, J. Borg, B. Farrugia (S. Borg), G. Muir
Vittoriosa S: M. Muscat, C. Brincat, O. Sidibe, C. Spiteri, M. Perreira, F. Aguiar, O. Guerrero, Siraj Arab (M. Camilleri), L. Torri, Samir Arab, C. Sammut (R. Mifsud)
Referee: A. Arciola
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, T. Debono
4th official: G. Tonna
Scorers: O. Guerrero 47, I. Coronado 54, O. Sidibe 69
Yellow cards: Siraj Arab, B. Farrugia, S. Pisani, L. Torri, C. Borg, F. Aguiar
Red card: F. Aguiar
Player of the match: O. Guerrero (Vittoriosa S)
TMI top three: 1. O. Guerrero 2. G. Muir 3. M. Muscat
Attendance: 420
Vittoriosa Stars confirmed their recent improvement and their desire to keep fighting when they beat Floriana with two goals from set pieces. Oscar Guerrero again proved their catalyst in the second half, after a rather timid first half performance.
This deserved win ended Vittoriosa’s recent slump and propels them back in the relagation battle, as all five teams now remain hotly embroiled.
Floriana had plenty of possession but again laboured for a cutting edge. This second consecutive defeat sees them slip down into deep trouble as the struggle for salvation becomes more intense with three matches remaining.
Neither side could establish much control and there was very little cohesive team play in the first half. The match remained mostly relegation staff until three goals in the second half provided the specatcle the match badly needed.
Floriana used Christian Caruana as a late substitute, giving a start to Brooke Farrugia instead.
Vittoriosa made three changes following their one-all draw against Tarxien Rainbows the previous week. Michael Camilleri, Malcolm Buttigieg and Gilbert Martin were all dropped and replaced by Clive Brincat, Siraj Arab and Carl Sammut.
The Stars started like a team in a hurry and showed some conviction in the opening minutes as they tried to find an early goal. A Sammut headed effort was held out by keeper Hanford and Guerrero’s free kick was straight at the goalkeeper.
When the tide abated, Floriana started to find pace and rythm of their own. Muir had an effort going wide after 19 minutes and towards the half hour Coronado’s shot from a distance found keeper Muscat very up to task, turning the balll into a corner. Then Pinheiro shot Muir’s corner over and the chance went to waste.
And before the first half was over, Vittoriosa had to absorb some sustained pressure from the Greens, their defence looking ragged at times.
Vittoriosa upped their resolve after the interval, with the wind behind their backs. Guerrero’s long range shot took a wicked deflection into a corner. On 47 minutes, the Stars broke the deadlock when nobody could connect to a long sailing oscar Guerrero free kick from the left and the ball ended in the Floriana goal.
Four minutes later, Guerrero again put Perreira clear inside the Floriana area but the Brazilian lost his co ordination as he tried to conclude.
But on 54 minutes, Brincat almost committed an own goal as he tried to clear Pinheiro’s cross from the right, the ball ending narrowly wide. From the resultant Muir corner, Vittoriosa’s short clearance fell to Igor Coronado who shot in to level matters.
Floriana enjoyed a purple patch after that, and it felt like a winning goal might come. Keeper Muscat palmed out Pinheiro’s cross shot from the right and defender Scicluna went close with an overhead kick slightly over the bar past the hour.
The Greens were stunned however by Vittoriosa’s second goal on 69 minutes. Guerrero again played a free kick from the same position as the instance of the first goal, this time defender Sidibe turned attacker to head in from close range.
Floriana’s reaction came from substitute Caruana but keeper Muscat was up to task and saved.
Vittoriosa’s win was marred by the dismissal of Felipe Aguiar two minutes from normal time. The player applauded the referee after being cautioned and eventually received his marching orders.