After winning their first match against Gzira and being eliminated from the Europa League losing to Estonian side FC Flora, the Greens turned their attention on the Premier League.
Their opponents Hibernians succumbed to defeat at the hands of Sliema Wanderers in their first outing. But this time around it was the Paolites who prevailed defeating reigning Champions Floriana by three goals to one.
Hibernians had to do without the suspended Andrei Agius whereas Floriana were without goalkeeper Akpan and forward Kristian Keqi amongst others.
After a initial spell in which Floriana took control of the proceedings, it was Hibernians who took the lead in the 14th minute. Winchester passed towards Attard whose cross from the right side found Artiles who rifled the ball home.
The Greens responded through Jan Busuttil who was unlucky when in the 18th minute he hit the woodwork. And on 26 minutes Dias passed towards Cheveresan only for the latters shot to be saved by the Hibernians goalkeeper.
Just past the half hour an acute shot by Garcia just missed the target. And a minute later Hibernians could have doubled their lead. Jake Grech made his way into the opposing area and after dribbling around passed the ball towards an unmarked Teixeira who had the easiest of chances but blasted wide from close range.
This was the best spell for Hibernians and nine minutes from the end of the first half Kristensen saw his shot just miss the target. With Floriana going near in the 39th minute through a Fonseca cross shot which was punched away by Calleja Cremona.
On the change of ends Floriana had the best chance to draw level when Cheveresan was gifted a ball after some scrappy defending by the Hibernians rearguard but his shot was saved by the Hibernians custodian.
But it was Hibernians who doubled their lead on 54 minutes when Jake Grech perfectly set Jurgen Degabriele who fired a shot past a helpless Cassar.
Three minutes later it was once again game on as Floriana reduced the gap. This was thanks to a solo effort by Jan Busuttil whom after dancing round a handful of defenders placed the ball in the corner of the net.
This was to be a tonic for the Greens but just past the hour Camenzuli brought down Teixeira in the area and the match official pointed to the penalty spot. From the resultant kick Jake Grech made no mistake.
Twenty minutes from the end of the match Cheveresan saw his effort blocked by Ferdinando Apap. And fifteen minutes from the end of the match Venancio brought the best out of Calleja Cremona when his fierce shot was palmed onto a corner by the Hibernians goalkeeper.
The Greens now threw all personnel on the attack in a desperate effort to try and save the match and in the 82nd minute a Camenzuli diagonal shot was turned into a corner by Calleja Cremona. Till the end Hibernians controlled well with Floriana failing to reach the expected heights.
Photo Domenic Aquilina
