Floriana-Tarxien 2-0

Floriana: S. Mintoff, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, S. Pisani (D. Baldacchino), I. Coronado, D. Pinheiro de Sousa, J. Borg, B. Farrugia (E. Briffa), RF Aguiar, G. Muir, S. Borg.

Tarxien R.: N. Vella, C. Mamo, M. Caruana, F. Lopez Alcantara (Lucas), L. Martinelli (K. Pulo), D. Toure, C. Menendez Hevia (R. Sammut), D. Mariano Bueno, J. Mifsud, S. Bonnici, J. Santos Silva.

Referee: G. Tonna.

Asst refs: C. Francalanza, P. Abela.

4th official: M. Spiteri.

Scorers: G. Muir pen, D. Pinheiro da Sousa 80

Yellow cards: A. Scicluna, F. Lopez Alcantara,

Red cards: E. Caruana,

Player of the match: G. Muir.

TMI Top 3: 1. G. Muir, 2. R. Aguiar, 3. J. Santos Silva

Attendance: 506

Floriana moved closer to safety yesterday after a 2-0 win against nine-man Tarxien Rainbows.

The three points have lifted the side to a safer position and they can now breathe more freely.

But for Tarxien, the peril of relegation still lies as they are now just one point ahead of Vittoriosa Stars.

The two sides could not afford to drop points from their clash after Qormi and Vittoriosa won their matches.

Solid at the back and in midfield, Floriana were boosted by the early red card of Tarxien skipper Manuel Caruana but could only translate their  numerical advantage into a dominant display after the Rainbows finished in nine men.

It was a perfect start for new coach Giovanni Tedesco, who sprung several surprises in his starting line-up, omitting Daniel Hanford and Jonathan Xerri replacing them with Sean Mintoff and Rodrigo Felix Aguiar. Defender Gary Muir was moved in midfield and assigned screening duties in front of the back four with Brooke Farrugia and Joseph Borg behind the attacking triumvirate of Diogo, Steve Pisani and Igor Coronado.

Clive Mizzi made three changes to the side that last against Naxxar Lions with Carlo Mamo drafted back in the starting XI after serving suspension while Luca Martinelli and Steven Bonnici replacing Ryan Sammut and Miguel Ciantar.

In the first half, both teams showed great determination but actions in front of goal were few and far between.

Floriana appeared to be better equipped technically and I might say they saw a little more of the ball apart from creating the best chances.

In the second half, Tarxien tried to get back into the match but Lucas’s dismissal which brought them down to nine men was a big setback from which

they never recovered.

Both sides sized up each other in the opening minutes and the first shot at goal arrived on the 13th – a Santos Silva grounder which Mintoff saved in two attempts.

In the 22nd minute, Floriana threatened to score when from a Muir freekick, Joseph Borg saw his header going wide.

On 30 minutes, Tarxien also went close through a Santos Silva freekick which, however, went wide.

The best chance came Floriana’s way in the 34th minute. It was Igor Coronado who tested Tarxien goalie Nicholas Vella seriously, but the latter was equal to the task, turning the ball to a corner.

Floriana took the lead minute in the 36th minute in controversial fashion. From a Muir freekick, the referee deemed that Manuel Caruana fouled Steve Pisani and ordered a penalty apart from dismissing the Tarxien player. From the spotkick, Muir made no mistake.

On the 45th minute, the Greens threatened again through a very dangerous Steve Pisani low cross, but Lopez Alcantara managed to clear before Coronado could connect in front of goal.

But the signs at the start of the second half were hardly encourging for the Rainbows as Lucas’s contribution to game only lasted eight minutes - he was sent off for retaliation, leaving his side down to nine men.

Floriana tried to step up their game. On the hour mark, Farrugia embarked on a mazy run on the right wing and his cross was met by Coronado whose effort ended just over the bar.

In the 78th minute, Mamo’s free-kick finished just wide.

And two minutes later, Floriana sealed the issue. Coronado delivered a perfect centre towards Diogo Pinheira da Sousa who tapped home at the near post.