Floriana extended their unbeaten run to seven matches when in a match played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium they beat Balzan by the odd goal in three. On the other hand it was another setback for Balzan who have now gained just one point from their last five matches. For Paul Zammit’s team this was their third consecutive defeat after losing to Sliema and Mosta in their last outings.
El Hasni and Jean Borg were suspended for Floriana and Balzan respectively.
In the first round match between the two sides Floriana emerged winners by the same score thus registering a double over Balzan.
Floriana started the match on the offensive though the first minutes neither team threatened. In fact it was midway through the first half that the Greens went near when following a through ball by Ryan Camenzuli the ball found Brandon Paiber who after controlling well lobbed the ball just over the bar.
Floriana broke the deadlock on the half hour when a Jose Arias free kick Kristijan Rutjens anticipated the Balzan rearguard and headed into the net. The first half was all Green and on the stroke of the change of ends they went near to double their lead when a Rumyan Hovsepyan shot just missed the target.
Balzan started the second half much better than the first one and on 53 minutes Bojan Kaljevic lost a good chance when with only the opposing goalkeeper to beat he fumbled and failed to conclude.
But Floriana just the same kept piling on the pressure and on the hour Jake Galea had to be on the alert to save a Kemar Reid headed effort.
In the 64th minute Balzan tried their luck once again through a Kevin Daniels shot with Kitanov responding with a good save. On the other end Jake Galea had to stretch to save a Kristian Keqi shot from the edge of the area.
But it was Balzan who drew level three minutes later. It was Uros Ljubomirac when on receiving a good pass on entering the opposing box his low drive beat Kitanov.
Twelve minutes from time Ryan Camenzuli tested goalkeeper Galea who once again saved well.
On 88 minutes Floriana regained the lead and scored what proved to be the winner. It was a corner which was met by Owen Spiteri who headed past Jake Galea, a goal which gave another three points to the Greens who thus keep pressing Hibernians at the top of the table.
