FLORIANA G. Kitanov; O. El Hasni, K. Reid, M. Sousa (61 J. Grech), D. Vella, O. Spiteri (76 C. Rovas), M. Garcia (61 L. De Grazia), C. Lonardelli, M. Valadzko, A. Kouro, W. Furtado (76 M. Veselji).
MOSTA D. Akpan; G. Chara, E. Aneni (24 T. Shedrack), T. Precious, A. Hovhannisyan (78 B. Farrugia), W. Britto, N. Agius, J. Scerri, J. Vassallo (46 S. Cachia), Z. Brincat (46 C. Nnaji), K. Tulimieri (46 H. Nwoga).
Referee: Glen Tonna.
Yellow cards: Chara, Precious.
Red card: Bradley Farrugia.
Floriana scored three first-half goals to secure a comfortable victory over Mosta as they continue their march towards the Premier League.
The Greens added another one in the second half to make sure of their four-goal victory.
The league leaders now move to 57 points after clinching their 18th win of the season.
For Mauro Camoranesi’s side, this was their fourth straight win with a clean sheet as they continue to boast the league’s best defensive record with just 10 goals conceded.
On the other hand, Mosta remain in the red zone, in 11th, with 24 points as they trail Sta Lucia by two points with three matches left.
Floriana coach Camoranesi made one change to his starting formation as Maksim Volodjko took his place at the back, replacing youngster Alejandro Garzia.
Mosta, on their part, welcomed the return of Armen Hovhannisyan who led the Blues’ attack in this crucial match for them.
Floriana almost opened the score inside the third minute when Kemar Reid teed up Matheus Sousa but the former Balzan player squandered the chance from close-range.
Moments later, Mosta missed two open chances when Zachary Brincat failed to beat Georgi Kitanov with his header before Kevin Tulimieri, also a headed chance, missed the target.
The Greens immediately threatened again when Matias Garcia let fly a strike from outside the area but could not beat David Akpan.
On the 20th minute, Floriana were awarded a penalty when Akpan tripped Matheus with referee Glen Tonna immediately gesturing towards the spot.
Forward Willis Furtado made no mistake to put the Greens ahead.
Goalkeeper Akpan denied Maksim Volodjko after the Belarus player fired a fierce strike towards goal.
Volodjko, on his 23rd appearance for the Greens, earned a second penalty for the league leaders when he was floored by Armen Hovhannisyan.
Furtado, once again, converted from the spot to make it 10 goals since his arrival during the January transfer window.
Floriana extended their lead when Akpan denied Oualid El-Hasni but youngster Owen Spiteri was quick to send the rebound into goal, his third of the season.
After the change of ends, Mosta tried to turn the tides of the game to their favour with three changes.
However, although they did enjoy a bright start to the second half, they could not muster any chances to threaten Floriana.
The Greens, on their part, deployed last week’s scorer against Valletta Jake Grech to bolster their attack past the hour mark.
Late in the game, substitute Mattia Veselji could have easily scored Floriana’s fourth just to sail his effort over the bar from inside the small area.
Floriana wrapped up the win in stoppage time when Christos Rovas beat Akpan from point-blank range.
Making matters worse for Mosta was Bradley Farrugia’s red card on his debut after a dangerous tackle on Floriana’s captain El-Hasni.
