Floriana maintained their positive record in the Relegation Pool as they defeated Melita 2-0 to secure their Premier League status.
For the Greens, this was the fourth consecutive win which keeps them on top the Relegation Pool. For Melita, this was a disappointing result as they remain anchored at the bottom of the table.
Photos: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar
Melita lacked Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho, Michael Martin and Luke Sammut. Floriana, on the other hand, were in full strength.
Floriana managed to take the lead on the half-hour when off a cross from the left, Joseph Borg’s fine header hit the posts with the ball ending at the back of the net.
The Greens went close to doubling the score on 63 minutes with a powerful shot by Kane Farrugia, served on the right by Coronado. However the young Melita goalkeeper neutralised his attempt. Five minutes later, Igor Coronado had a shot from the right partially saved by Schranz.
Floriana doubled the score on 81 minutes thanks to Igor Coronado who concluded a great solo effort with a shot from inside the area.
Igor Coronado was voted BOV Player of the Match.
FLORIANA Tony Warner, Carl Tremarco, Owen Bugeja, Gary Roberts, Kane Farrugia, Sacha Borg (82’ Mark Spiteri), Joseph Borg (69’ Brooke Farrugia), Clyde Borg, Trevor Cilia (46’ Udo Nwoko), Steve Pisani, Igor Coronado.
Subs not used: Jonathan Debono, Thomas Paris, Francesco Guzman, Luca Casha.
Coach: Iain Brunskill
Asst. Coach: Gary Howard
MELITA Philip Schranz, Matthew Borg, Luke Bianco, Ivan Tufegdzic, Rudi Alhinho, George Gribbon, Nigel Rizzo (73’ Karl Vella Petroni), Jean Pierre Attard (64’ Luke Micallef), Andrew Caruana Scicluna (54’ Alan Borg Olivier), Julian Galea, Daniel Cabanillas Ayllon.
Subs not used: Guillermo Gabilondo Garcia, Michael Valenzia, Marc Attard.
Coach: Patxi Salinas
Asst. Coach: Alejandro Martinez Lopez
Goalkeepers’ Coach: Nikolai Attard
Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Sammy Attard
Fourth official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: J. Borg, S. Borg, N. Rizzo
Scorers: 30’ Joseph Borg, 81’ Igor Coronado
Hamrun Spartans claimed three precious points in their bid to avoid relegation as they beat Balzan 3-2. The Spartans move two points ahead of Rabat and five ahead of Melita.
Balzan had coach Riccardo Tumiatti making his debut after replacing Joe Borg and Ivan Zammit. They lacked Yessous Camilleri, Christian Caruana and Jonathan Francica. Hamrun, on the other hand, could not count on David Camilleri and Bledjon Guga.
The Spartans took the lead on the 5th minute when Ryan Spiteri released Emiliano Lattes who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Dani Miguelez.
Balzan replied with a Firas Aboulezz freekick from which Stefan Giglio headed just wide two minutes later.
Firas Aboulezz however notched the equaliser on the 13th minute when off a Ryan Darmanin cross, Dylan Grima served the former Mosta midfielder who placed the ball at the back of the net.
Balzan were now in command, going close with a Renato Conceicao first-time effort deflected into a corner by Anthony Curmi. The Spartans replied with a shot from the right by Emiliano Lattes on the 26th was blocked and off the rebound, Terence Vella’s effort was turned into a corner by Dani Miguelez.
From the resulting corner by Luke Grech, Roderick Fenech headed the ball home to double the score.
Eight minutes in the second half, Curmi performed a great save on a freekick by Renato Conceicao.
The Spartans increased the lead on the 57th minute. Ryan Spiteri was the provider once again with an assist from the right and Giacomo Favero hit low past the Balzan goalkeeper.
Matthew Mendy went close with a powerful shot from the left which was blocked by Curmi on the 85th minute. Hamrun replied with two consecutive shots by Emiliano Lattes – the first blocked by Mendy and the other by the goalkeeper.
Two minutes from time, Balzan reduced the gap with a powerful drive by Elie Moises Akui N’Dekre which gave Curmi no chance.
Ryan Spiteri was voted BOV Player of the Match.
HAMRUN Anthony Curmi, Glenn Azzopardi, Daniel Zerafa, Adrian Borg, Massimo Grima, Luke Grech, Giacomo Favero, Roderick Fenech, Terence Vella (89′ Terence Scerri), Emiliano Lattes, Ryan Spiteri (84′ Ayrton Micallef).
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Loic Lumbilla, Gianluca Debattista, Ryan Bonello, Melvin Busuttil.
Coach: Stefan Sultana
Asst. Coach: Jeffrey Mifsud
BALZAN Daniel Miguelez Martinez, Firas Aboulezz, Aaron Agius, Elie Moises Akui N’Dekre, Jacob Borg, Ryan Darmanin (72′ Cruyff Grixti), Renato Garcia Conceicao, Dylan Grima, Stefan Giglio, Matthew Mendy, Jamie Pace (64’ Bjorn Bondin).
Subs not used: Fredrick Tabone, Shaun Bugeja, Kevin Camilleri, Andrew Cassar, Rennie Forace.
Coach: Riccardo Tumiatti
Asst. Coach: Silvan Ciscaldi
Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Peter Abela
Fourth official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Agius, Conceicao, N’Dekre
Scorers: 5’ Emiliano Lattes (H); 13’ Firas Aboulezz (B); 26’ Roderick Fenech (H)
Attendance: 317