Floriana's Oualid El Hasni moves past Aleksandar Katanic. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
BALZAN 0
FLORIANA 3
Reid 63; Arias 77; Veselji 85
BALZAN
D. Golovic, I. Bozovic, A. Prates, S. Arab, P. Fenech (81 M. Grima), J. Grech (64 T. Caruana), R. Michibuchi (64 D. Awosanya), A. Katanic (54 P. Olawale), M. Raso, L. Da Silva, A. Andrejic-6 (81 M. Aguek).
FLORIANA
G. Kitanov, A. Magri Overend, O. El Hasni, U. Arias (82 M. Veselji), K. Reid-6.5, M. Souza-6 (82 K. Nwoko), D. Vella (90 L. Accarino), M. Garcia (86 L. De Grazia), C. Zammit Lonardelli, M. Valadzko,
A. Kouro.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara.
Yellow cards: Fenech, Bozovic, Kouro, Arab, Garcia.
Red card: Prates (B) 88.
Missed penalty: Reid (F) 90.
BOV Player of the Match: Ulises Arias (Floriana).
Floriana maintained their perfect record with a fourth win in as many matches as they defeated Balzan 3-0.
Although the Greens were a better side in the early stages, Balzan soon started to share the exchanges and by the end of the first half the score was still goalless.
However, Floriana eventually managed to take the lead, adding another two goals late in the game.
For Balzan, this was the second defeat in four matches but the score was definitely too harsh on Oliver Spiteri’s side.
Adam Magri Overend was preferred to Jan Busuttil in an otherwise unchanged Floriana side led by coach Mauro Camoranesi.
On the other hand, Balzan had two changes from their last outing as Marcus Grima and Benjamin Hili made way for Samir Arab and Paul Fenech.
Floriana went in search of an early goal, going close on eight minutes with an assist by Kemar Reid for Ulises Arias on the right but the latter’s conclusion ended just wide.
Three minutes later, Matias Garcia served Kemar Reid on the left and the Jamaican forward hit the crossbar.
Balzan replied with a first-time effort by Leonardo da Silva which ended high off an inviting cross by Paul Fenech on 28 minutes.
However, just before the end of the first half, Floriana threatened once again with a cross by Arias from which Matheus Souza headed wide.
Floriana managed to break the deadlock on 63 minutes.
Magri Overend delivered a cross from the right and Reid headed the ball home past goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.
Balzan went close to equalising on 70 minutes following a good move as Triston Caruana delivered a cross from the right and Da Silva nodded the ball into the path of Andre Prates whose first time effort ended over the bar. Three minutes later, Peter Olawale headed high off a corner by Caruana.
However, Floriana extended the lead on 77 minutes after being awarded a penalty. Matheus Souza was brought down inside the area by Momcilo Raso and from the spot, Arias converted.
Five minutes from time, Floriana sealed the issue with a third goal. Reid entered the area and squared low for substitute Mattia Veselji to slot the ball past the Balzan goalkeeper from close range.
To make matters worse for Balzan, Prates was sent off on 88 minutes after he brought down Dunstan Vella just outside the area.
From the resulting freekick by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, a defender handled the ball inside the area and referee Ishmael Barbara ordered another penalty.
However, Kemar Reid’s effort was neutralised by the Balzan custodian.
In stoppage time, Balzan went close to reducing the gap with a Raso header which however hit the woodwork.
