Floriana's Carlo Zammit Lonardelli in a duel with Gabriel Mentz. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
FLORIANA 2
Grech 7; Zammit Lonardelli 42
GŻIRA UNITED 1
Mentz 41
FLORIANA
C. Mafoumbi, J. Grech, K. Reid (79 G. Yameogo), T. Santos (67 E. Souza), D. Vella (67 M. Veselji), O. Spiteri, M. Garcia, C. Zammit Lonardelli (79 K. Nwoko), F. Sasere, A. Kouro, A. Garzia (22 Fernandinho).
GŻIRA UNITED
J. Haber, G. Mentz, T. Aldama, Z. Scerri, F. Chouaib (86 B. Borg), L. Riascos, J. Pisani, A. Da Paixao, F. Romero, K. Tulimieri, T. Espindola (65 D. Santana).
Floriana extended their unbeaten record as they returned to winning ways, defeating Gżira United 2-1.
It was a deserved win for Floriana as they created the better chances throughout the 90 minutes. They took the lead early in the game and although they conceded a goal towards the end of the first half, they were quick to regain the lead thanks to a wonder goal by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.
The Greens move second, one point behind leaders Birkirkara and one ahead of Sliema Wanderers but the latter two have a game in hand.
The Maroons, on the other hand, suffered a second defeat after earning seven points from the previous three matches.
Floriana managed to take the lead after seven minutes. Matias Garcia sent Jake Grech through and the latter beat Justin Haber with a fine rising shot from the right.
In a carbon copy move for Floriana, on 16 minutes, Grech went close once again after receiving a through pass but this time his conclusion ended high.
Two minutes later, Kevin Tulimieri tested goalkeeper Mafoumbi with a shot from the left which was parried by the Floriana custodian. A header by Da Paixao, off a cross by Thaylor, ended over the bar on the half-hour and ten minutes later, Fernandinho tested Haber with a shot from outside the area.
Gżira levelled matters four minutes from the end of the first half. Thiago Espindola delivered a corner from the right, Gabriel Mentz’s header was blocked by Fernandinho but the Brazilian defender slammed the ball home off the rebound.
However, their joy was short-lived as Floriana regained the lead a minute later.
Zammit Lonardelli took advantage from a series of rebounds and with a brilliant strike from a distance of around 30 meters, he saw the ball hit the upright before ending at the back of the net behind Haber.
Gżira held the initiative in the early stages of the second half but on 64 minutes, Kemar Reid rounded a defender inside the area but was denied by Haber. From the rebound, Matias Garcia hit high.
Three minutes later, Reid concluded a good run with a shot from the edge of the area ending off target.
In the remaining minutes, the Greens kept their opponents under control to retain the slender lead and take home the three points.
