Valletta registered their first win as two second-half goals enabled them to beat eternal rivals Floriana 2-0.

The Citizens seemed to struggle once again but a goal mid-way through the second half by substitute Lateef Elford-Alliyu paved teh way for victory. For the Greens, this was the second defeat in three matches.

Valletta coach Gilbert Agius made only one change from the team which was held by Tarxien last week as Christian Caruana replaced Luke Montebello. Roderick Briffa was still ruled out injured. On the other hand, Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco kept faith in the same eleven players which faced Sliema on Saturday.

The first real goal scoring opportunity fell at the feet of Raphael Kooh Sohna whose close-range effort scraped past the post on 16 minutes. Floriana replied with a Vito Plut effort which ended just wide.

Agius replaced Caruana and Kooh Sohna with Adrian Zahra and Lateef Elford-Alliyu on the 62nd minute and the English striker soon left his mark as three minutes later, he received a pass by Shaun Bajada and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Valerio Senatore to put Valletta ahead.

Five minutes from time, Valletta doubled the score when off an assist by Ryan Fenech, Abdelkarim Nafti slotted the ball past Senatore to secure the three points.

FLORIANA Valerio Senatore, Douglas Felipe Moreira Cobo, Emerson Marcelina, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (75′ Giovanni Galea), Vito Plut, Matteo Piciollo, Emanuel Briffa, Brooke Farrugia (80′ Isaac Galea), Sacha Borg, Steve Bonnici.
Subs not used: Tyrone Gauci, Luke Micallef, Neil Spiteri, Joseph Borg, Gary Muir.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

VALLETTA Nicky Vella, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech, Hugo Faria, Raphael Kooh Sohna (62′ Lateef Elford Alliyu), Shaun Bajada (79′ Llywelyn Cremona), Christian Caruana (62′ Adrian Zahra), Abdelkarim Nafti, Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Ryan Camilleri, Luke Montebello, Ian Zammit.
Coach: Gilbert Agius

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Roberto Vella
Additional Assistant Referees: Clayton Pisani, Glen Tonna
Fourth Official: Alan Camilleri
Yellow Cards: Piciollo, Marcelina, St. Borg, Bajada
Scorers: 65′ Lateef Elford-Alliyu, 85′ Abdelkarim Nafti
BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Fenech
Attendance: 1,891