Floriana brush aside Hibernians to go five points clear

Floriana moved five points clear at the top of the Closing Round when they brushed aside Hibernians 4-1 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Floriana were back to their best on Sunday as the Greens were determined to pile up the pressure on nearest rivals Ħamrun Spartans, who face Marsaxlokk at the Tedesco Stadium on Monday.

The Greens completed the job in some style as they managed to outlast a battling Hibernians style with a clinical performance with Argentine attacking midfielder Federico Varela producing a fine display with a well-taken brace.

Floriana were soon on the offensive and after 10 minutes, Jose Teixeira picked Rui Areias at the far post but the forward headed over.

The Greens thought they had taken the lead on 23 minutes when Jake Grech picked the unmarked Areias who stabbed home. But the assistant referee raised his flag and annulled the goal for offside.

Still, Floriana were not to be denied as from a Jake Grech corner kick, Alen Kurtalic adjusted his body to perfection and fire the ball home with a spectacular scissors kick.

Hibs soon responded and took just five minutes to level matters.

Alfred Silas headed the ball into the area where Areias looked to have handled the ball, but Cain Attard was the quickest to react to fire home

After the interval, Floriana coach Daniel Portela sought to provide more firepower to his team and brought on midfielder Dunstan Vella and attacking midfielder Paul Mbong.

The Greens started the second half in style as they soon restored their lead when from a Jake Grech corner kick, Varela headed the ball past Branescu.

Hibs thought they had levelled again when Cain Attard found Akinbule who fired home but the ‘goal’ was annulled for offside.

Floriana were now dangerous in transition and on 55 minutes, Grech served the goalbound Areias, who was denied by Branescu.

Portela’s team were not to be denied on 68 minutes Paul Mbong turned past two defenders and set up Varela, who hammered the ball into the net.

Three minutes from time, Floriana sealed the points when Mbong’s delivery found substitute Carlo Zammit Lonardelli to head home.