Floriana battle past Tarxien Rainbows to go four points clear at the top

Floriana moved four points clear at the top of the YoHealth Malta Closing Round after battling past lowly Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 at the Centenary Stadium.

The Greens were in control from the outset, taking the lead early on through Myles Beerman, and the former Sliema wingback went on to seal the points with a second goal after the break to maintain their grip on top spot.

Floriana were off to a brisk start and took just three minutes to forge ahead when from a corner action, Myles Beerman hit a low shot that finished into the bottom corner of the net.

Tarxien responded on 14 minutes when Claudio Barbosa’s shot was well saved by Floriana’s Pablo Picon.

The Greens almost doubled their lead on 16 minutes when Beerman’s cross found Kenan Dervisagic who headed just over.

Tarxien thought they equalised on 18 minutes when Barbosa deflected the ball into the net from a free-kick action, but the ‘goal’ was annulled for offside.

Tarxien came agonisingly close to level matters four minutes from the break when from a defensive melee inside the Floriana area, the ball looked set to finish into the net but Greens defender Mendonca cleared off the line.

In stoppage time, Floriana were off to a lightning transition with Zach Scerri serving Charles M’Mombwa, who hit a low drive that finished just wide.

Floriana should have killed off the match in the second minute after the restart when Mustapha Jah won a penalty.

But Jah’s shot from the spot was saved by Tarxien goalkeeper Alexander Lubik.

Things could have gone worse for Floriana on 52 minutes when Tarxien almost levelled matters when Barbosa rounded Floriana goalkeeper Picon but his shot finished wide of a gaping goal.

Tarxien’s hopes were all but ended on 58 minutes when Beerman hit a stinging drive that flew into the net.

The Rainbows protested for a penalty on 69 minutes when Lokosa was allegedly pushed inside the area but the referee waved play on.

It was certainly not Tarxien’s day as on 70 minutes they could have got back into the match, but Barbosa’s shot came off the upright with Picon beaten.