Floriana return to winning ways with victory over Mosta

Floriana returned to winning ways as they defeated Mosta 3-1.

Floriana are back to winning ways with their victory over Mosta. Photo by Ray Attard
Floriana are back to winning ways with their victory over Mosta. Photo by Ray Attard

This was a positive result for Floriana after their controversial defeat to Birkirkara last weekend.

With this victory, Floriana move three points clear of Mosta and one behind fourth-placed Balzan, who still have a game in hand.

Floriana were the better team at the start and they went close to scoring in the 15th minute when, off a cross by Steve Pisani, Conor Borg saw his shot hit the woodwork.

In the 26th minute, Matteo Piciollo made his way past two defenders, but his shot went over the net.

Moments later, Vito Plut served Matteo Piciollo but the latter’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Kyle Gerada.

Just before the end of the first hand, Mosta went close to scoring when Matheus Ribeiro do Santos hit the posts with his shot from close range.

Eight minutes into the second half, Floriana managed to take the lead. A powerful shot by Vito Plut was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Kyle Gerada. Off the corner kick by Steve Pisani, Emerson Marcelina headed the ball in the direction of Vito Plut whose header beat Gerada to give Floriana the lead.

In the 66th minute, Floriana doubled the score. Gary Muir served Matteo Piciollo and the latter shot the ball past the on-rushing Kyle Gerada.

In the 88th minute, Mosta managed to reduce Floriana’s lead when a direct freekick by Ian Zammit beat goalkeeper Tyrone Gauci.

In stoppage time, Mosta went on the attack and almost scored the equaliser when substitute goalkeeper Omar Borg controlled a cross with his chest before passing to Tyrone Farrugia who had his close-range shot deflected by a defender.

With Mosta’s goalkeeper Omar Borg helping his team in the attack, the ball reached Floriana’s Douglas Moreira Cobo who then went on to make the score 3-1 as he placed the ball inside the unguarded net with a shot from midfield.

MOSTA Kyle Gerada (90+1′ Omar Borg), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Tyrone Farrugia, Yannick Ossok, Karl Pulo, Kurt Magro (78’ James Brincat), Ryan Grech, Gary Roberts, Ian Zammit, Diego Pinheiro de Sousa (64’ Zachary Brincat), Matheus Ribeiro dos Santos.

Subs not used: Adrian Borg, Aaron Sammut, Kyle Frendo, Matteo Di Vita.

Coach: Peter Smith

FLORIANA Tyrone Gauci, Douglas Felipe Moreiro Cobo, Marcelina Emerson, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Vito Plut, Matteo Piciollo, Conor Borg (78’ Brooke Farrugia), Emanuel Briffa (81’ Sacha Borg), Steve Bonnici, Gary Muir.

Subs: Andrew Zammit, Neil Spiteri, Glen Tabone, Rodrigo Felix Aguiar.

Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

Referee: Ignasi Villamayor (AND)
Assistant Referees: Hugo Jourdan Pereira, Manuel Nogueira (AND)

Additional Assistant Referees: Clayton Pisani, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Michell Scerri
Yellow cards: Gerada, Grech, Clyde Borg, Matheus Ribeiro
Scorers: 53’ Vito Plut, 66’ Matteo Picollo, 88’ Ian Zammit, 90+4′ Douglas Felipe Moreiro Cobo

BOV Player of the Match: Vito Plut