The Malta Independent 19 February 2025, Wednesday
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Stoppage time goal gives Floriana sole Premier League leadership

Monday, 4 December 2023, 07:21 Last update: about 2 years ago

Simon Farrugia

Floriana are now sole leaders of the BOV Premier League after defeating arch-rivals Valletta by a solitary goal scored in stoppage time.

Floriana went into this match coming from consecutive wins against Sirens and Sliema Wanderers still unbeaten. Missing for the Greens for this important match was central defender Oualid El Hasni who was serving a one match suspension.

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Valletta are still looking for their first win under the stewardship of Vincenzo Potenza since taking over from Thane Micallef. In their last match they were held by Santa Lucia, conceding an equalizer on 95 minutes.

The last time that Valletta beat Floriana dates back to February 2020 when on that occasion they beat their arch-rivals by a solitary Steve Borg goal.

After nineteen minutes Floriana had their first shot on target when on 19 minutes a cross by Valadzko was headed by Arias but the Valletta goalkeeper Galea was on the alert and palmed away.

Valletta responded three minutes later when a Dimech shot ended inches wide. And on 27 minutees Valadzko made his way into the opposing area but Micallef anticipated and won the tussle.

And on the stroke of half time an Arias free-kick was headed goalwards by Reid but but Galea tipped over.

On resumption Floriana went near on 56 minutes when off a corner by Arias the Valletta goalkeeper saved on two occassions.

On the hour Valletta nearly found the net but a Benites shot from the edge of the area just missed the target.

And when the match seemed to be ending in a goaless draw came Floriana’s dramatic winner. It was in added time when a persistenti Reid finally found De Grazia whose shot from close range found the net to the delight of the Floriana supporters.

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