A point each for Valletta and Floriana in a derby match full of episodes played at the National Stadium.  The Lillywhites played for over an hour with ten players after Muscat’s sending off and they were reduced to nine-man in added time.

Valletta remain in ninth place with Floriana in seventh place.

Valletta coach Thane Micallef had much more time to prepare for this important match since their match against Sirens was postponed due to the increment weather that hit our island last week. This match will now be played on Wednesday.

On the other hand Floriana had a bumpy ride lately and after their surprise elimination at the expense of Santa Lucia in the FA Trophy they lost against Birkirkara in their last league match.

The Greens signed Norwegian midfielder Sindre Osestad who started on the bench.

In the first round match it was Floriana who emerged winners with a goal scored by Kemar Reid four minutes from the end of the match.

After five minutes a Dimech shot was blocked by Kitaniv. On 17 minutes Valletta again on the offensive but from an ideal position the Valletta youngster hit wide.

Three minutes later Floriana came into the picture for the first time when Veselji passed the ball towards Reid but his central shot was saved by goalkeeper Guarnone.

Valletta responded on 22 minutes but Zammit’s free-kick finished wide off the mark. The team from the capital were hard hit just past the half hour when Rowen Muscat was shown a straight red after hitting Arias.

And in first half added time a Trillo shot was turned onto a corner by Guarnone.

On the change of ends Floriana tried to increase their tempo and on 54 minutes a Trillo cross found Arias but his shot was blocked. And on the hour mark Floriana threatened once again but Guarnone was on the alert to save on Arias.

Nineteen minutes from the end in a swift counter attack Valletta went near when Dimech set Bevis who played the ball towards Jebor William but his shot on the turn was saved by Kitanov.

In the 84th minute Jebor was once again in the thick of action but failed to find the net from a favourable position. Minutes later Reid had two consecutive chances but first his shot was turned onto a corner by the Valletta goalkeeper and than he missed out.    

In added time Valletta were reduced to nine-man when Pena Beltre was sent off following a second bookable offence.

Photo: Jonathan Bugeja