Watch: Floriana see off Gżira United to go two points clear at the top

GŻIRA UNITED     0

FLORIANA   3       

Fernandinho 4, 16

Mashike 69 pen

GŻIRA U.

G. Mangano, G. Bohrer, J. Minala (46 S. Denic), E. Pepe, A. Borg (73 B. Borg), T. Aldama, L. Riascos, S. Sno, K. Zammit (23 F. Chouaib), N. Disic (73 S. Schembri), T. Espindola (73’M. De Filippis).

FLORIANA

C. Mafoumbi, E. Mashike (82 A. Kouros), G. Sotomayor (76 J. Becerra), Z. Scerri, D. Vella (76 J. Grech), O. Spiteri, M. Garcia, C. Zammit Lonardelli, G. Gamarra (81 A. Garzia), G. Yameogo, Fernandinho (76 F. Sasere).

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Yellow cards: Spiteri, Yameogo, Minala, Aldama.

Floriana regained sole leadership as two early goals by Fernandinho paved the way for a 3-0 win over Gżira United.

The Brazilian midfielder struck twice within the first 16 minutes with Elvis Mashike sealing the issue with a penalty mid-way through the second half.

The Greens, therefore, returned to winning ways to move two points ahead of Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk, leaving the Maroons in joint-seventh place with Zabbar St Patrick.

Floriana had no less than four changes from the team which drew with Mosta in their last league outing as Owen Spiteri, Zachary Scerri, Fernandinho and Elvis Mashike were all named in the starting line-up.

Oualid El Hosni was ruled out by injury while Alexandros Kouros, Jake Grech and Franklin Sasere started on the bench.

The Maroons, on the other hand, fresh from the narrow win over Ħamrun Spartans welcomed back Andrew Borg and Thaylor Aldama back in the starting formation.

The Greens had a perfect start, taking the lead on four minutes. Fernandinho’s direct freekick gave goalkeeper Guilio Mangano no chance as the ball ended in the top right corner.

Gżira replied on 15 minutes with a Thiaguinho corner from the right, Gabriel Mentz’s header was blocked by Mafoumbi and Joseph Minala hit high.

A minute later, Floriana doubled the score. Thiaguinho and Mentz collided on the right, paving the way for Fernandinho to enter the area and round a defender, beating the Gżira custodian with a shot which saw the ball hit the far post before ending at the back of the net. 

Thaylor tested Mafoumbi with an angled shot from the right on 37 minutes and deep into stoppage time, Thiaguinho had a freekick ending wide.

Two minutes in the second half, Gabriel Sotomayor tested the Gżira goalkeeper with a shot from outside the area but Mangano turned the ball into a corner.

However, Floriana scored the third goal on 69 minutes.

Mentz broughtElvis Mashike down inside the area, referee Matthew De Gabriele ordered a penalty and the Congolese forward converted from the penalty spot.