With several regular players missing, champions Floriana suffered against Gzira United, but in the end emerged as winners in a keenly contested match between two of the best sides on the island.

Without goalkeeper Akpan, and with players like Venancio, paiber and Ryan Camenzuli on the bench, Floriana had to withstand the pressure of Gzira who dominated for the first hour of the match.

The Maroons under the guidance of Darren Abdilla who is making his return at the helm of the side, and captained by ex Valletta and Malta defender Steve Borg, took their opponents by storm going close twice in the opening five minutes.

After barely sixty seconds from a Mendoza corner, Sacha Borg was first to arrive on the post but his header just missed the target.

Four minutes later Gzira were rather unlucky when from a cross from the left by Correa, De assis’ header beat the goalkeeper but Ruiz was on hand to clear the ball of the goal line.

The same Ruiz scored the opener against the run of play on thirteen minutes.

It was however an amazing goal scored directly from a freekick with Ruiz’ scorcher finishing at the top corner with Haber having no chance to save.

The Maroons took only nine minutes tio level matters deservedly.

Davies won a ball in midfield and ran unhindered towards the Greens’ penalty area before passing towards Amadou Samb who fired beautifully in the top corner for a well taken goal.

Gzira continued to dictate matters in the remaining minutes of the first half, going close on 43 minutes when Floriana goalkeeper Cassar fumbled the ball but De Assis failed to capitalise firing incredibly high from two meters.

In the second half Gzira continued to attack but they were not as brilliant as in the first fourty five minutes. On the other hand the Greens, gradually started to come to grips with their opponents.

Steve Borg had two headers going very close to giving Gzira the lead, two chances which have could have made Borg’s debut with the Maroons a memorable one.

But it was not to be as Floriana coach Potenza introduced Venancio and later Ryan Camenzuli and the Greens were now surely better than their opponents.

On 68 minutes a Camenzuli cross from the left was met by Cheveresan whose header just missed the base of the upright.

Now Cheveresan was more in the thick of the action and wnet close again two minutes later with a solo effort that left Bohrer struggling, but the shot of the ex-Sirens striker again missed the upright by inches.

Gzira had a Mendoza freekick going over the bar, but the Maroons were now struggling at the back, and Jan Busuttil ripped the defence apart with a pass for Garcia, but Haber saved the day with a fine save.

On 84 minutes Haber again was providential making the best save of the game with a great dive to block a Venancio freekick destined for the top corner.

Floriana scored the winner on 87 minutes. Camenzuli was outstanding on the left flank leaving Muscat gasping before crossing low towards Cheveresan who anticipated Bohrer to fir home for a beautiful goal that gave the champions the right start and the right tonic for next Thursday’s match against Flora Tallinn.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina