BOV Premier League | Floriana 4 – Senglea Athletic 1

Following their win against Qormi, Floriana started the match looking to gain some momentum. On the other hand, struggling Senglea were eager to start winning points as Vincenzo Potenza’s side find themselves bottom of the table with just one point.

Floriana made an excellent start to the match and forged ahead after just three minutes. Following a cross by Steve Pisani, Senglea’s defenders failed to clear their marks. Juninho Cabral rushed forward and drilled a low shot past Matthew Farrugia.

Senglea replied on the 9th minute. Augusto Rene Caseres squared the ball for Karl Cutajar whose effort sailed wide.

Luis Oliveira’s men threatened Senglea again on the 14th minute. Clayton Failla delivered a long ball towards Cabral and the latter ran forward before firing a shot that failed to hit the target.

On the 25th minute, Maurizio Vella of Floriana tried his luck from distance, but his shot was saved by Farrugia in two attempts.

Senglea equalised on the 32nd minute. Brandon Muscat’s cross was met by Caseres who headed the behind Ini Etim Akpan.

The Greens tried to hit back in order to regain the lead prior to the half-time whistle and created an opportunity on the 38th minute. Cabral saw his shot from a free-kick being neutralised by Farrugia.

However, they succeeding in regaining the lead two minutes later. Clayton Failla delivered a cross towards Ignacio Varela whose fantastic header stamped off the post before ending up inside the net.

Floriana started the second half where they left off the first and had an excellent chance to score again on the 47th minute. Alex Cini distributed a cross towards the unmarked Arthur Henrique Oyama who failed to hit the target from close range.

Emerson Marcellina added another goal for Floriana on the 54th minute. Following a cross by pisani, the Brazilian headed the ball home.

Three minutes later, Vella was played through on goal by Varela, but failed to hit the target.

Despite losing this opportunity, Vella still managed to list his name on the score sheet as he sealed the three points for Floriana on the 66th minute. Cabral delivered a cross towards the Italian who headed the ball behind Senglea’s custodian.

Senglea had an opportunity on the 76th minute. Leighton Grech went inside the penalty area down the right flank and fired a shot that hit the side netting.

Six minutes later, Federico Salvati saw his shot from a free-kick ending up slightly high.

Akpan had to be on the alert to deny Senglea from scoring a consolation goal on the 86th minute. Romani Tcanturia hit a strong shot from close-range that forced a good save from Floriana’s shot stopper.

Following this result, Floriana secured their third win, while Senglea remain anchored in the bottom of the table with just one point from six matches.

Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Clayton Failla, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Athur Henrique Oyama, Emerson Marcellina

Senglea Athletic starting line-up: Matthew Farrugia, Brandon Muscat, Ferdinando Salvati, Leighton Grech, Imanol Benac Gonzalez, Zachary Cassar, Fabrizio Massimo Bramati, Matias Nicolas Garcia, Rene Augusto Caseres, Karl Cutajar, Romani Tcanturia

Referee: Trustin Farruiga Cann

Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Ivan Galea

Fourth Official: Slobodan Petrovic

BOV Player of the Match: Juninho Cabral (Floriana)