Floriana's Matias Garcia (right) is tackled by Rafael Morisco. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
MOSTA 1
Morisco 83
FLORIANA 1
Ciolacu 21
MOSTA
M. Jovicic-6, R. Briffa-6.5, C. Failla-7, T. Farrugia-7, I. Doric-6 (70 L. Igbineweka), M. Hetemaj-6 (47 W. Donkin-6), L. Riascos-6.5, R. Morisco-6.5, Z. Brincat-6 (86 N. Agius), S. Akinbule-6, R. Ekani-6.
FLORIANA
G. Kitanov-6, A. Magri Overend-6 (77 A. Garzia), C. Rutjens-6, Z. Cassar-5.5, J. Arias-5 (61 J. Busuttil-5), A. Ciolacu-6 (77 M. Veselji), N. Garcia-5, B. Paiber-5, E. Callegari-5, E. Rebenja-5 (61 A. Caseres-5), R. Camenzuli-5.5 (61 D. Agius-6).
Floriana missed the chance to consolidate third spot as they were held by Mosta.
The Blues snatched a deserved late equaliser when Gianluca Atzori’s team looked on course to move just one point behind Birkirkara.
Rafael Morisco hit a rising shot behind Georgi Kitanov as Mosta laid siege to the Floriana goal, with Ryan Camenzuli clearing off the line.
Floriana had made most of the early running in the first half, a stark contrast to the backs-to-the-wall way in which they played the majority of the second half.
But it was Floriana who started the brighter with Eugeniu Rebenja flashing a header from the edge of the box just wide.
The Greens were rewarded for their positive start after 21 minutes when Andrei Ciolacu ran on a pass and went straight at the Mosta goalkeeper Marko Jovicic before unleashing a right-foot shot into the top corner.
Floriana werw found back-tracking when it took a miraculous save from Kitanov to keep out Mehdi Hetemaj’s point-blank header from Clayton Failla’s free-kick.
Just before half-time, a corner by Failla was deflected perfectly for Tyrone Farrugia at the far post, but the Mosta captain fired over the top with the goal at his mercy.
After the break, the Blues began to dominate proceedings and Floriana somehow survived a 52nd minute goalmouth scramble that saw Camenzuli clear off the line from Farrugia.
Floriana were restricted to long-range efforts with Camenzuli pulling a shot over shy the hour mark.
Atzori’s thoughts on Floriana’s performance was reflected his bold decision to make a triple substitution. Jan Busuttil, Augusto Caseres and Daniel Agius came on for Arias, Rebenja and Camenzuli.
Then, Adam Magri Overand and Ciolacu made way for Aleandro Garzia and Mattia Veselji who got booked with his first touch of the ball.
But just when it seemed as if their stubborn defence would steal the plaudits for stopping all that Mosta could create, Morisco crept in to pick up a loose ball in the area and hit the ball home from close range.
Floriana’s Daniel Agius missed his chance of glory on the whistle when he hit a low drive just wide off the far post.
