Miguel Ciantar scored twice as Tarxien Rainbows returned to winning ways, defeating Floriana 3-0. A win which opens wide the battle against relegation as Tarxien now move to just two points behind Floriana.

For the Greens, this was the first defeat since Riccardo Gaucci took over as the new club president.

Tarxien lacked Luca Martinelli and the suspended Steve Bonnici and Jorge Santos Silva while Sunday Eboh was missing for Floriana.

Miguel Ciantar put the Rainbows ahead on 17 mintues thanks to a fine shot from outside the area from the left.

On the 24th, Ciantar went close once again with a shot from outside the area ending just over the bar.

Just before half-time, an Igor Coronado effort from inside the area for Floriana was neutralised by Nicky Vella.

Seven minutes in the second half, Tarxien doubled the score when off a cross by Demba Toure from the right, Daniel Mariano Bueno headed the ball home from close range.

Nine minutes from time, Tarxien sealed the issue with a third goal. It was a great goal by Miguel Ciantar who rounded a defender before beating Hanford with a fine rising shot from outside the area which gave the Floriana custodian no chance.

FLORIANA Daniel Hanford, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Steve Pisani, Christian Caruana (73′ Isaac Galea), Igor Coronado, Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa (68′ John Roland Emeka), Jonathan Xerri, Clyde Borg, Joseph Borg (56′ Andre Scicluna), Gary Muir, Sacha Borg.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Darrell Baldacchino, Luca Casha, Brooke Farrugia.
Coach: Ian Dawes

TARXIEN Nicky Vella, Carlo Mamo, Manuel Caruana, Fernando Lopes Alcantara, Lucas Goncalves da Silva (90′ Steve Sadowski), Demba Toure, Miguel Ciantar (86′ Karl Pulo), Ryan Sammut, Carlos Menendez Hevia, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Josef Mifsud.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, William Barbosa, Luke Aquilina, Luke Zahra, Matthew Cassar.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: Menendez Hevia, Ciantar, Pisani, Diogo, M. Caruana, Emeka
Scorers: 17′ Miguel Ciantar, 52′ Daniel Mariano Bueno, 81′ Miguel Ciantar
BOV Player of the Match: Miguel Ciantar