Low-key match ends all square

Floriana 1

Tarxien Rainbows 1

Floriana: Calleja Cremona, Moreira Cobo, Marcelina (S.Borg 60’), Pisani, C.Borg, Plut, Piciollo, Briffa, Farrugia (Galea 69’), Muir, Bonnici

Tarxien R: Debono, Farrugia (Sadowski 75’), Caruana, Yepes Roda (Zahra 90’), Vallecillo Casado, Sammut, Godar Pereira, Grech, Cini, Darlington (Schembri 90’), Bonaque Acevedo

Referee: Mario Apap

This match between two teams with different aspirations provided little to the few present at the stadium with nothing separating the two sides in a 1-1 draw.

With Floriana seeing much of the ball in the first period, it was then the Rainbows who came out a bit more adventurous in the second half.

After just eight minutes into the game, a Steve Pisani effort went just wide from a good position on the edge of the box.

Floriana again went close this time through defender Marcelina who rose above the opposition’s defence with his headed effort being cleared off the line by Alex Cini.

Past the hour mark however, Floriana managed to take the lead when off a corner kick taken by Pisani, Picollo headed the ball in the net.

With Tarxien being very much disappointed during the first period of the game, it was inevitable that they had to make some sort of reaction.  In fact, Tarxien drew level in their first proper opportunity when off a Yepes cross, Obinna Darlington hit a fine first time volley into the top corner.

From then on it was Tarxien who looked more likely to take the lead; and on 66 minutes, an effort by Yepes ended high.  Six minutes later, new signing Calleja Cremona had to make a difficult save off an effort by Darlington.

Seven minutes from time, Floriana could have clinched an unexpected winner when Picciollo headed just over after a Pisani set-piece.

BOV Man of the Match: Matteo Piciollo

BOV Man of the Match: Gilmar Ribeiro