First-half goals put Floriana in FA Trophy semi-finals

Floriana joined Sliema Wanderers, Tarxien Rainbows and SK Victoria Wanderers in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy thanks to a fine 2-0 win over Hamrun Spartans at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The Greens, who had eliminated Birzebbuga St. Peter’s and Ghajnsielem in the previous rounds, were the better side right from the start, taking a two-goal lead mid-way through the first half. The Spartans, who lacked the influential Jake Grech, hardly threatened the Floriana rear-guard and it was only late in the game that they had a couple of shots at goal.

Floriana forged ahead on the 21st minute when off an Alex Cini throw-in from the right, there was a deflection by Luis Vergara and Mario Fontanella chested the ball down before hitting past the Hamrun goalkeeper.

The Greens doubled the score on the 25th minute thanks to Enrico Pepe who headed the ball home off a Steve Pisani corner from the right.

Eight minutes in the second half, Ignacio Varela went close to scoring a third goal but his conclusion off a cross by Fontanella from the right hit the upright.

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FLORIANA Matthew Grech, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Antonio Monticelli, Ignacio Varela, Sebastian Nayar (73′ Clyde Borg), Maurizio Vella, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Mario Fontanella, Ryan Camenzuli (19′ Steve Pisani)(85′ Andre Scicluna).
Subs not used: Justin Haber, Mattia Zarb, Darrell Baldacchino, Denilson Borg Castaldi.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

HAMRUN David Cassar, Luis Miguel Vergara Rodrigues (60′ Luke Grech), Manolito Micallef, Karl Micallef, Siraj Arab Eddin, Jorge Mesqueu Neto (42′ Brandon Diego Paiber), Igor Misan, Mathieu Manset, Saturday Nanapere, Massimiliano Giusti (84′ Daniel Debono), Sergio Raphael dos Anjos.
Subs not used: Matthew Farrugia, Luca Gatt, Philip Chircop, Jeremy Busuttil.
Coach: Jacques Scerri

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Etienne Mangion
Attendance: 1,509