Reid’s late goal preserves Floriana’s three-point lead, Ħamrun Spartans beat Sta Lucia

Victory for Sliema Wanderers over Naxxar Lions, Hibernians held by Mosta.

FLORIANA 3-2 MARSAXLOKK
Carlo Zammit Lonardelli 51, Jose Arias 58, Kemar Reid 90 (F); Obonogwu 15, Gomes 66 (M).

Kemar Reid returned to scoring ways just time to hand Floriana a last-gasp winner over Marsaxlokk to keep them sole leaders of the Premier League.

Ahead of January 6’s direct encounter with second-place Ħamrun Spartans, Mauro Camoranesi’ Floriana maintain their three-point lead at the top.

For the Malta international forward, this was his first goal in three games as he has now scored 8 goals in 11 league appearances for Floriana.

However, they were given a run for their money by an impressive Marsaxlokk team that deserved at least a point from this game.

Marsaxlokk remain fourth on 19 points after being pipped by Sliema Wanderers to third place.

Winston Muscat’s team stunned Floriana when Anthony Obonogwu fired Winston Muscat’s ahead after pouncing first on a rebound from inside the small area.

The goal came as a cold shower for the Greens who were looking to stage an immediate reaction but Marsaxlokk’s defensive phase was preventing Floriana from being dangerous.

Floriana’s Carlo Zammit Lonardelli tried his luck from outside the penalty area but failed to make the most of his shot.

Marsaxlokk came close to double their lead but Yuri was denied from close-range by Georgi Kitanov who produced a brilliant save.

After the change of ends, Marsaxlokk thought they had doubled their lead just for Yuri to have his goal disallowed for offside.

A sigh of relief for Floriana who managed to level terms at the first time of asking when Carlo Zammit Lonardelli fired past Marko Drobnjak from inside the area after a free-kick situation.

Mauro Camoranesi’s side turned the score to their favour when Lonardelli teed up Jose Arias with a clever through ball before the Argentine player fired past Drobnjak.

Muscat’s side, however, were still alive in this game and managed to peg Floriana back with a Yago Gomes’ header from a Leandro Aguirre’s freekick.

However, Floriana’s resiliency helped them break down a solid Marsaxlokk side when Kemar Reid slotted past Drobnjak to the delight of the Greens’ clan.

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NAXXAR LIONS 1-4 SLIEMA WANDERERS
Edmond Agius 15, Vito Plut 45, Geoffrey Acheampong 59, 69 (S); Nikolai Micallef 54 (N).

Sliema Wanderers secured their consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League after beating ten-men Naxxar Lions in Sunday’s early kick-off.

The Blues move to 22 points after 11 outings while Naxxar Lions remain on 16 points as they conceded their third defeat of the season.

Paul Zammit’s Sliema forged ahead through Edmond Agius with Vito Plut doubling the lead just before half-time.

In between, Naxxar were down a player after Marcilio was given the marching orders on the 38th minute.

After the change of ends, Geoffrey Acheampong grabbed a brace as Sliema clinched the three points.

STA LUCIA 1-3 ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
Tatsuro Nagamatsu 53 (S); Yulyan Nenov 4, Luke Montebello 32, Uros Duranovic 45 (Ħ).

Ħamrun Spartans scored three goals in the first half to propel themselves to eighth victory of the season, to keep track of leaders Floriana.

Yulian Nenov opened the score inside the opening four minutes to put the Spartans in the driving seat.

Ħamrun, who welcomed back goalkeeper Henry Bonello between the sticks, doubled their lead through Luke Montebello.

Just before half-time, Uros Duranovic extended Ħamrun’s lead to three goals.

Tatsuro Nagamatsu pulled one back for Sta Lucia but Ħamrun managed to preserve their two-goal victory.

HIBERNIANS 0-0 MOSTA

Hibernians and Mosta shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate which leaves the Paolites in fifth and the Blues in the relegation red zone.

Branko Nisevic’s Hibernians were at the back of a win over Valletta but failed to follow up with a win as they were record just their second draw of this campaign.

Mosta, on their part, join Valletta on 11 points following their fifth stalemate of the season.