Watch: Floriana outsmart Marsaxlokk to return to the top

Floriana returned to the top of the YoHealth Malta Premier Top Six when they overcame Marsaxlokk 2-1 at the National Stadium.

It was another convincing performance from the Greens who again displayed their solidity with another efficient display that saw them outwork their opponents.

Midfield duo Dunstan Vella and Jake Grech were the protagonists for the Greens with the former netting the team’s opener while Grech, so influential throughout, provided the killer pass from which Charles M’Mwomba grabbed the winner.

With this win, Floriana moved one point ahead of Ħamrun Spartans and boosted their hopes to retain first place at the end of the Top Six.

It was Floriana who threatened first after seven minutes when Dunstan Vella hit a thumping drive from the edge of the area, but Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez was alert to block.

Floriana remained on top and managed to take the lead on 17 minutes.

Federico Varela moved clear on the left and slipped the ball into the path of the unmarked Vella, who stabbed the ball past Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez.

However, Marsaxlokk fought back strongly and managed to level matters ten minutes later.

From a Leandro Aguirre corner kick, Floriana defender Iago Mendonca, in a bid to clear the ball, inadvertently headed it into his own net.

From then on, Marsaxlokk started to grow into this game as they began to see more of the ball.

But when it looked as though Marsaxlokk could turn the match around, it was Floriana who restored their lead.

In a quick transition started by Jake Grech, the Malta midfielder fed Charles M’Mombwa, who anticipated the onrushing Sanchez and fired the ball into the net.

Marsaxlokk tried to react, and in stoppage time, Ulises Arias’ inswinger flew over to leave Floriana ahead at the break.

On the restart, Marsaxlokk protested for a penalty when Fred Tsomou fell under the challenge of Mendonca but after the Football Video Referee was deployed, referee Ishmael Barbara ruled that there was no infringement.

Chances remained few and far between but it was Floriana who could have added to their lead in two circumstances.

First it was Owen Spiteri who hit a thumping drive that was pushed away by goalkeeper Sanchez.

And then late on, Aleandro Garzia’s hit a fine volley that was again turned over by Sanchez as Floriana held on for the win.