Jake Grech comes off the bench to propel Floriana to comeback victory

FLORIANA  3       

Grech 48; Dervisagic 57; ;Areias 76

NAXXAR LIONS   1       

Joao Victor 5

FLORIANA

G. Cioletti, M. Beerman, K. Dervisagic (79 F. Teixeira), F. Varela (89 E. Piscopo), D. Vella, A. Kurtalic, O. Spiteri, M. Jah (29 R. Areias), G. Gamarra (48 J. Grech), I. Mendonca, M. Veselji.

NAXXAR LIONS

M. Debono, JP Iseppe, T. Seara, M. Fenech (75 C. Gauci), E. Farias, J. Victor, Y. Montero (75 C. Kontchou), Rosiel, M. Micallef (75 N. Pace Cocks), V. Baiano, J. Moura.

Referee: Daniel Casha

Yellow cards: J. Moura, R. Areias, T. Seara

Floriana returned to winning ways as they came back from a goal down to beat Naxxar Lions 3-1.

Naxxar took an early lead and enjoyed the better chances throughout the first half.

But with the inclusion of Jake Grech at the beginning of the second half, the Greens were a transformed side as he was quick to equalise and then provide the assists for the other two goals.

Daniel Portela handed Gonzalo Gamarra, Mattia Veselji and Kenan Dervisagic a start as he could not count on Charles M’Mombwa and Zachary Scerri.

On the other hand, Naxxar had Yeangel Montero making his debut.

Montero and Theo Seara Kruger replaced Gustavo Campos and Christopher Fourmy.

The Lions managed to take the lead after only five minutes. Joao Victor took advantage of goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti’s poor positioning, beating him with a fine effort from behind the the half-way line.

Naxxar threatened once again three minutes later with Edson Farias from the left having a shot blocked by Cioletti.

Floriana were unlucky on 14 minutes when from a Federico Varela free-kick, the ball was deflected by a defender and hit the upright.

However, one minute later, Vinicius Baiano went close once again with an angled shot from the left.

Joao Victor tested the Floriana custodian with a shot from the edge of the area which was saved on 27 minutes.

Winston Muscat’s side maintained the pressure with fast breaks and on 34 minutes, Rosiel missed a good chance, hitting wide when served on the right.

A minute later, Baiano sent Yeangel Montero through and the latter advanced into the area but his conclusion was neutralised by Cioletti.

Three minutes into the second half, Floriana levelled matters.

Substitute Grech beat goalkeeper Matthias Debono with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.

The Greens turned the score in their favour on 57 minutes.

Grech provided the assist from the right and Kenan Dervisagic beat Debono with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Naxxar replied with a powerful drive by Mark Fenech on 66 minutes which was turned into a corner by Cioletti.

Floriana, however, made it 3-1 on 76 minutes.

Grech, once again provided the assist and Rui Areias slotted the ball past the Naxxar goalkeeper from close range.