Floriana return to winning ways

Floriana scored a goal in each half to return to winning ways as they beat Tarxien Rainbows at the National Stadium on Sunday. a win which puts the Greens just one point behind third-placed Gzira United.

For Tarxien, who had Macedonian Under-19 international Antonio Mitrev making his debut after joining the club on loan from Balzan, this seventh defeat in eight matches means that they remain joint-second from bottom.

Floriana had Sebastian Nayar making his return after a spell in Gibraltar. JJ Aquilina joined coach Nicolas Chiesa on the bench.

The Greens took the lead one mnuute from the end of the first half thanks to Mario Fontanella who receieved an assist by Maurizio Vella and beat Tarxien goalkeeper Antonio Chetcuti.

Eight minutes from time, Floriana selaed the issue with a second goal as Maurizio Vella’s powerful drive from outside the area gave the Tarxien custodian no chance.

TARXIEN Antonio Chetcuti, Antonio Mitrev, Ebiabowei Baker, Matthew Spiteri (79′ Andrew Agius), Matar Dieye, Ayrton Azzopardi, James Brincat, Andrè Charles Scicluna, Eduard Marian Calin, Ricardo Silva Faria, Sean Cipriott (77′ Matteo Desira Buttigieg).
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Arsene Cilia Mumford, Mamadou Traore, Seyown Zammit.
Coach: Jose Borg

FLORIANA Matthew Grech, Sebastian Nayar (90′ Bradley Sciberras), Enrico Pepe, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral (77′ Leighton Grech), Alex Cini, Arthur Henrique Oyama, Dylan Grima, Mario Fontanella (84′ Jurgen Pisani).
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Denilson Borg Castaldi, Neil Spiteri, Mattia Zarb.
Coach: JJ Aquilina

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Jurgen Spiteri
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: E. Baker, R. Silva Faria, S. Nayar, M. Vella
BOV Player of the Match: Steve Pisani