Second win for Floriana in Relegation Pool

bov-premier-league-2013-2014Floriana are the only team with maximum points from two matches in the Relegation Pool as they defeated Vittoriosa Stars 3-1. A win which puts them at the top with 17 points, seven ahead of Vittoriosa.

Emmanuel Ibok Edet and Joseph Borg returned for Floriana after missing the last game but Steve Pisani was ruled out through suspension. On the other hand, Vittoriosa welcomed back Francisco Arriagada Mella but lacked Jose Filipe Aguiar Siraj Arab and Malcolm Buttigieg.

Floriana managed to break the deadlock on 37 minutes when Gary Muir served Brooke Farrugia on the right and the latter’s cross shot from an angled position beat Mario Muscat.

One minute from half-time, the Greens doubled the score when Igor Coronado concluded a good run on the left flank with a powerful shot which gave Muscat no chance.

Vittoriosa pulled one back seven minutes in the second half thanks to Gilber Martin who concluded a fine solo effort on the right with a powerful shot from inside the area which gave Daniel Hanford no chance.

Eleven minutes later, Leonardo Torri went close to equalising with a close-range header off a freekick from the left.

However Floriana sealed the issue five minutes from time when off a Gary Muir freekick, Igor Coronado’s attempt was blocekd by Muscat, the ball reached John Roland Emeka who slammed the ball home from close range.

VITTORIOSA Mario Muscat, Michael Camilleri, Samir Arab, Leonardo Torri, Gilbert Martin (80′ Carl Sammut), Marcelo Pereira, Clive Brincat, Oscar Guerrero, Luke Vella Critien, Francisco Arriagada Mella (46′ David Mitogo Garcia), Ousmane Sidibe.
Subs not used: Sean Cini, Ryan Mifsud, Sheldon Grech, Liam Gauci, Clive Spiteri, Carl Sammut.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

FLORIANA Daniel Hanford, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Christian Caruana, Igor Coronado, Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa (74′ John Roland Emeka), Jonathan Xerri, Clyde Borg, Joseph Borg (83′ Andre Scicluna), Brooke Farrugia (64′ Isaac Galea), Gary Muir, Sacha Borg.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Darrell Baldacchino, Luca Casha, Dylan Kokavessis.
Coach: Ian Dawes

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: J. Borg, D. Mitogo Garcia, Sidibe, Galea
Scorers: 37′ Brooke Farrugia, 44′ Igor Coronado, 52′ Gilbert Martin, 85′ John Roland Emeka
BOV Player of the Match: Samir Arab