M. Farrugia-6, S. Uyi-5.5, Z. Cassar-5 (77 R. Song), A. Abela-5.5, F. Gnindokponou-6, S. Buhagiar-5.5, I. Misan-5.5 (63 D. Xuereb), D. Fava-5.5, J. Tanti-6.5, D. Diwoto-6, D. Kukic-5.5 (70 D. Abela).
FLORIANA I. Akpan-6, E. Ruiz-6, D. Venancio-6, N. Leone-6.5 (83 D. Agius), K. Keqi-6 (83 S. Arab), U. Arias-6.5 (70 B. Paiber), J. Pisani-6, M. Garcia-6, A. Cini-6, A. Louzada-6 (60’ J. Busuttil), R. Camenzuli-6.5.
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.
Yellow card: Misan
BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Camenzuli (Floriana).
Floriana returned to winning ways as they scored on either side of half-time to beat bottom-placed Senglea Athletic 2-0.
Led by assistant coach Darren Vella, following the resignation of John Buttigieg in the aftermath of the elimination from the FA Trophy, the Greens registered their first win in over two months.
Three points which see them move fifth from bottom and join Gudja United and Zejtun Corinthians on the 23-point mark although the latter two have two games and one game in hand respectively.
Meanwhile Senglea Athletic suffered their tenth consecutive defeat and are now resigned to playing in the Challenge League next season.
Following a quiet start, Senglea went close to taking the lead when Dibola Diwoto Junior released Freud Gnindokponou on the right and the latter’s fine shot from the edge of the area was turned into a corner by Ini Akpan.
Floriana replied with a cross-shot by Adriano Louzada from the right which which was cleared off the goal line by Abela on 23 minutes.
Three minutes later, Ulises Arias exchanged the ball with Nicola Leone before serving Kristian Keqi whose close range effort was blocked into a corner by Matthew Farrugia.
Nine minutes later, the Greens took the lead Diego Venancio delivered a freekick from the right and Keqi’s powerful header beat the Senglea custodian with the ball being deflected by Igor Misan.
Six minutes in the second half, Floriana scored the second goal which practically sealed the issue. There was a long clearance by Venancio from inside the area; Zachary Cassar, who stood all alone in midfield tried to pass the ball back to the goalkeeper but Ryan Camenzuli managed to intercept the pass, rounded Farrugia and placed the ball into the back of the net.
Senglea tried to reduce the arrears through Jan Tanti who had a shot from the edge of the area parried by Akpan on 71 minutes and four minutes later with a long-distance freekick which was also neutralised by the Floriana custodian.
However, three minutes from time, Floriana could have increased the lead when substitute Brandon Paiber’s fine shot from outside the area was turned into a corner by Farrugia and from the resulting corner by Farrugia, Enzo Ruiz headed just over the bar.
