Floriana hit four past St. Andrews

Floriana maintained their unbeaten record in the BOV Premier League as they returned to winning ways, defeating St. Andrews 4-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.

However after taking the lead mid-way through the first half, it was only in the dying minutes that Floriana managed to double the score and eventually scored another two goals to make sure of the three points. Three points which put the Greens temporarily in second place, one point behind leaders Gzira United.

For the Saints, now under the guidance of coach Marko Glumac, this was the third defeat in four matches.

Floriana managed to take the lead on the 25th minute when Maurizio Vella had a shot blocked by goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona but off the rebound, Mario Fontanella’s effort was cleared off the line by Travis Blagrove but the Floriana striker still managed to head he ball home.

The Greens were reduced to ten men eight minutes later after Steve Pisani was sent off after hitting an opponent – Tano Azian – in an off-the-ball situation.

Azian was however sent off for St. Andrews fourteen minutes from time after receiving a second yellow card.

Floriana doubled the score eight minutes from time through Ignacio Varela who beat Calleja Cremona following a short clearance by the Saints’ rear-guard.

On the 89th minute, off a Nicolas Chiesa corner, Enzo Ruiz headed the ball home for the Greens’ third goal.

Three minutes in added time, Ignacio Varela converted a penalty after Leighton Grech was brought down inside the area by the St. Andrews goalkeeper.

ST. ANDREWS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Enmy Pena Beltre, Adrian Borg, Travis Blagrove, Kyle Butler (69′ Matthew Gauci), Marcus Grima (79′ Misael Miranda Gomez), Joseph Farrugia, Jacob Walker (69′ Aidan Friggieri), Kemmu Degran Jackson, Tano Innocent Azian, Kevaughn Atkinson.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, LIam Grech, Jamie Magri Overend, Malcolm Vella Vidal.
Coach: Marko Glumac

FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (46′ Dylan Grima), Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella (88′ James Baldacchino), Alex Cini, Arthur Henrique Oyama, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella (89′ Leighton Grech).
Subs not used: Matthew Grech, Jamie Delia, Denilson Borg Castaldi, Neil Spiteri.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official; Stefan Pace Yellow Cards: Jackson, Borg, Ruiz, Butler, Atkinson, Azian, Beltre, Vella, Calleja Cremona.
Red Cards: 33′ Steve Pisani, 76′ Tano Azian