Sirens 1
Floriana 4
Sirens: D. Cassar, D. Sant, R. Grech, W. De Oliveira (R. Fenech 82), R. Dos Anjos, E. Arab (AM. Bustos 70), A. Abdullahi (L. Sciberras 66), R. Romau, R. Memezes, T. Espindola, F. Cheveresan
Floriana: I. Akpan, E. Ruiz, D. Venancio, K. Keqi, U. Arias (C. Borg 69), B. Paiber (E. Herrera 87), J. Pisani, M. Garcia (J. Busuttil 46), A. Cini, R. Camenzuli, T. Fonseca
Referee: S. Petrovic
Asst refs: M. Scerri, I. Galea
4th official: M. Apap
Scorers: W. De Oliveira 44, D. Venancio 51, T. Fonseca 55, B. Paiber 86, K. Keqi 90
Yellow cards: D. Venancio 37, R. Dos Anjos 50
Red card: D. Sant 90
BOV Player of the Match: T. Fonseca
TMI Top 3: 1. T. Fonseca, 2. K. Keqi, 3. R. Memezes
Floriana extended their Premier League leadership to four points yesterday after defeating Sirens 3-1 in the top of the table clash.
The Greens came from 1-0 behind at the interval to score two quick goals early in the second half and two others late in the game to claim all the three points.
Wellington De Oliveira headed Sirens in the lead two minutes before the interval whistle, but goals from Venancio and Fonseca early in the second half turned the tables over their opponents. A brilliant third goal in the 86th minute from Brandon Paiber and a stoppage time penalty goal from Kristian Keqi confirmed the Greens' superiority on the day.
Floriana now have 17 points; Sirens remain temporarily second on 13 points.
The first half was full of action, mostly from Vincenzo Potenza's boys who dominated proceedings right from the first minute.
In fact, Sirens were forced to defend for long stretches and had to pass through several anxious moments before they eventually - and quite surprisingly - took the lead on 44 minutes.
The Greens played the ball well along the ground with Venancio, Fonseca and Keqi inspiring their team-mates, but they were somewhat found wanting in front of goal, missing a couple of good chances and seeing Sirens goalie Cassar thwarting them on at least another two occasions.
In the second half, Floriana were more convincing even if their first goal - the equaliser - had the element of luck around it as a deviated shot sent goalie Cassar the wrong way.
But no one can deny that the Greens richly deserved the points confirming their clear intentions this season - winning the title.
Sirens had no answer in the second half after the second goal, and even if they tried hard after suffering the second goal, they still failed to test goalie Akpan seriously.
The first action arrived in the 6th minute when a Venancio freekick was punched away by goalie Cassar.
Moments later, a fine combination between Brandon Paiber and Kristian Keqi ended with the latter's shot being blocked by a Sirens defender.
In the 13th minute, Floriana again went close through a Paiber shot which just missed the target. A minute later, Tiago Fonseca also saw his grounder going just wide of the target.
Sirens replied on the 19th minute through a Romario Memezes shot easily saved by Floriana goalie Ini Akpan.
In the 29th minute, Venancio tried his luck from around 30 metres, but the ball went slightly over the bar.
Six minutes later, in a swift counterattack, Ulises Arias sent Jurgen Pisani through on the left, but his shot from inside the area was well saved by the diving Cassar.
In the 39th minute, Sirens also had a chance when they were awarded a freekick from outside the area, but Romeo Romau's shot went just wide.
Four minutes later, Keqi darted past three Sirens players, but his final effort was saved by Cassar.
In the 44th minute, totally against the run of play, Sirens took the lead when from a Romau pass, it was Wellington De Oliveira who headed the ball over the onrushing goalie Akpan and into the net.
At the start of the second half, Floriana substitute Jan Busuttil was in action in the first minute, seeing his shot well saved by Cassar.
Floriana obtained an equaliser in the 51st minute, albeit in a lucky manner. A Venancio freekick hit a player in the Sirens barrier and the ball ended in the net as goalie Cassar was completely deceived by the deviation.
In the 55th minute, the Greens took the lead when off an Alex Cini perfect cross, Fonseca made no mistake with a brilliant first timer.
In the 76th minute, from a Venancio cross, it was Fonseca who headed wide when harassed by a Sirens defender.
The Greens assured themselves of their victory on 86 minutes when Brandon Paiber scored a gem of a goal with a fine rising shot from the edge of the area that had Cassar beaten all ends up.
It was not the end, however, as Floriana were awarded a penalty deep into added time following a handling infringement by Daniel Sant who was also shown a red card. He saved a Herrera shot with his hand near the goal-line. From the spotkick, Kristian Keqi made no mistake to make the final score read 4-1 in favour of the Greens.