A goal by Kemar Reid in the 82nd minute put Floriana momentarily back at the top with the same points as Hamrun, who still have to play their match against Naxxar Lions.

Two penalties were awarded during the match, one for each side, but whereas Floriana’s at‐ tempt by Veselji failed, Andrei Ciolacu scored the momentary equaliser from the 11 meters.

The first danger from either side came after 14 minute of play from Birkirkara, when from a di‐ rect free kick, the defender Alessandro Coppola saw his fin‐ ish hit the crossbar before going wide.

Floriana opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Mattia Veselji managed to get past Kurt Zammit in the box and beat Zapytowski with a low shot.

Only a minute later Floriana were awarded a penalty when Enrico Pepe fouled Souza into the box, with the referee Trustin Farrugia Cann blowing the whis‐ tle for the penalty and admon‐ ishing Pepe.

However, the same Mattia Veselji took charge of the penalty only to see goalkeeper Zapytowski save his effort well.

Twenty minutes into the sec‐ ond half, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty when Cop‐ pola's header in the box collided with Valadzko's hands and the referee awarded the penalty.

From the spot, it was Andrei Ciolacu who threw Kitanov one side and the ball the other side.

In the 80th minute, substitute Maxuell Maia engaged Kitanov from a direct free kick, who had to save with some difficulty.

Floriana took the lead again in the 82nd minute when Dunstan Vella's first header reached the substitute Kemar Reid who, with practically an empty post, tapped the ball at the back of the net.

Nothing changed until the final whistle, and the three points went to Floriana, who have thus achieved their second consecutive victory.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina