Late goals give Floriana dramatic win

Floriana scored twice in the final twelve minutes to come back from one goal down and beat Pembroke Athleta 2-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

This was the third win in four matches for Luis Oliveira’s side who are now third, two points behind leaders Valletta and one behind Balzan who however have a game in hand. Pembroke, on the other hand, should consider themselves unlucky to leave the pitch empty-handed as they were suffering a third consecutive defeat.

The Greens had one change as Steve Bonnici replaced the injured Filippo Andrea Scozzese. Pembroke, on the other hand, had four changes as Mario Muscat, Miguel Attard, Owen Bugeja and James Togbah replaced Matthew Farrugia, Patmore Shereni, Rennie Tanti and Siraj Arab.

Pembroke managed to take the lead on the 33rd minute when off a Paltemio Barbetti freekick from the left, Zoran Levnajic headed the ball past goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona, possibly followed by a deflection by a defender.

Floriana levelled matters on the 78th when off a freekick from the right by Juninho Cabral, Mauricio Villa’s header was partially saved by Mario Muscat but the ball had already crossed the goal line with Mario Fontanella making sure of the goal by placing it at the back of the net.

One minute in added time, the Greens notched the winner when off a cross by Mauricio Villa, it was Mario Fontanella who headed the ball home from over the goal-line.

PEMBROKE Mario Muscat, Austin Martz, Paltemio Barbetti, Kyle O’Brien, Ariel Laudisi (90′ Peter Paul Sammut), James Togbah (74′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Gustavo Villalobos Carbajal, Miguel Attard, Owen Bugeja, Alex Cini, Zoran Levnajic.
Subs not used: Matthew Camilleri, Rennie Tanti, Tyron Fenech, Lydon Micallef, , Geoffrey Spiteri.
Coach: Winston Muscat

FLORIANA Matthew Calleja Cremona, Antonio Monticelli, Enrico Pepe, Steve Pisani (66′ Mauricio Villa), Clyde Borg (54′ Juninho Cabral), Jurgen Pisani, Matteo Picciollo, Emanuel Briffa, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella, Steve Bonnici.
Subs not used: Tyrone Gauci, Andre Scicluna, Luca Gatt, Daniel Agius, Firas Aboulezz.
Coach: Luis Oliveira

Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Luke Portelli
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: Levnajic, Borg, Picciollo, Arab, Muscat
Scorers: 33′ Zoran Levnajic, 78′ Mauricio Villa, 90+1′ Mario Fontanella
BOV Player of the Match: Mario Muscat
Attendance: 428