Floriana maintained the challenge for fourth place as they came back from one goal down to beat Naxxar Lions 4-1.

The Greens therefore returned to winning ways after losing the previous two games to move temporarily four points behind fourth-placed Balzan. On the other hand, for Naxxar, this was a highly disappointing result as they stay just two points ahead of tenth-placed Tarxien and one ahead of Qormi.

Naxxar held the initiative in the early stages, taking the lead on the 19th minute through Daren Falzon who beat Senatore from close range when served by Gilmar.

However six minutes from the end of the first half, Floriana levelled matters when off an assist by Matteo Piciollo, Igor Coronado’s rising shot beat Azzopardi.

Just before half-time, the Greens went ahead of the first time when off a cross by Conor Borg, the ball reached Igor Coronado who hit home from close range.

Ten minutes in the second half, Igor Coronado increased the lead with a shot from outside the area from the right which was not held by Azzopardi.

Four minutes later, Matteo Piciollo made it 4-1 with a rising shot from a close angle from the right.

FLORIANA Valerio Senatore, Douglas Felipe Moreira Cobo, Emerson Marcelina, Igor Coronado (70′ Gary Muir), Matteo Piciollo, Conor Borg, Manuel Briffa (79′ Daniel Agius), Giovanni Galea, Sacha Borg, Steve Bonnici, Manolito Micallef (88′ Glen Tabone).
Subs not used: Tyrone Farrugia, Neil Spiteri, Russell Cauchi, Luke Micallef.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

NAXXAR Julian Azzopardi, Andrew Scicluna, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Frank Temile, Daren Falzon, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (63′ Pablo Doffo), Ryan Gilmour Cassar, David Fenech (61′ Terence Vella), Angus Buhagiar, Jorge Santos Silva, Albert Bruce.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Victor Bellia, Mattia Del Negro, Duane Bonnici, Jurgen Debono.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Refere: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Paul Apap
Additional Assistant Referees: Adrian Azzopardi, Malcolm Spiteri
Fourth Official: Roberto Vella
Yellow Cards: Bruce, Gilmar, Micallef, Falzon
Scorers: 19′ Daren Falzon, 39′ Igor Coronado, 45′ Igor Coronado, 55′ Igor Coronado, 59′ Matteo Piciollo
BOV Player of the Match: Igor Coronado