The Malta Independent on Sunday
Floriana turn tables in second half
Football - BOV Premier League
played football, had good moments with passing and direction. They were found lacking in the final third though.
The Floriana coach had to slightly alter his formation with the introduction of three new players. Ryan Camenzuli started as left back and Argentine Enzo Ruiz as centre back alongside Enrico Pepe. Andre Sci cluna was shifted to right back.
Other newcomer Ignacio Varela played as central striker and was supported by wide players Mario Fontanella and Amadou Samb.
St Andrews, who also gave a debut start to wide player from Croatia, Ante Bakmaz, were off to a surprise start, taking the lead after only six minutes of playing time. They won a Paz corner from the right that created panic isnide the crowded Floriana area as Godwin McKay somehow deflected the ball in between the upright and the grounded keeper Haber.
Floriana, visibly shocked, struggled to keep themselves going. Apart from a Chiesa powerful drive, that Saints’ keeper Jake Galea responded well, turning the ball over the bar into a corner, and another Samb header from a tight angle on a Vella free kick, the Greens rarely looked threatening during the first 45 minutes.
St Andrews stayed composed, putting seven or eight men be- hind the ball and dominating high balls, with the towering presence of Kesinovic and Johnson, whenever Floriana raked in the crosses.
Floriana needed a response, a shot of energy, of inspiration after the break. They substituted Vella with Steve Pisani and immediately drew level hardly four minutes into the second half. Mario Fontanella chested a Chiesa long ball, turned around his marker and beat keeper Galea at the far post.
Fontanella had another chance towards the hour as he ran through the middle on Pisani’s pass but was thwarted by the onrushing Saints keeper.
St Andrews did not panic but were living dangerously especially when Floriana started to mount some sustained pressure as Chiesa became more influential.
In fact the Saints succumbed to concede a second goal ten minutes from time. Varela laid a square pass for substitute Steve Pisani to beat the keeper with a drilling shot from the edge of the area.
Sensing that they were home and dry, Floriana held on to the Saints’ flacid reaction and on the stroke of full time they struck again. Amadou Samb, who had a poor match, twisted and turned around the onrushing Saints keeper inside the area, lobbing the ball into an unattended goal to add some excessive gloss to the Floriana win.