Rampant Floriana move into third place

Football - BOV Premier League

Except for a brief spell in the opening stages, Hamrun were never at the races.

Floriana had the same familiar look about them, since their derby draw against Valletta before the festive break, with the exception of the returning Amadou Samb, replacing the suspended Steve Pisani.

Floriana opened the score in bizarre style after only five minutes play.

As Amadou Samb chased a high ball inside the Hamrun area, both the keeper Tabone and defender Raphael allowed the ball to drop between them and the Nigerian forward could head in with relative ease.

After going behind, Hamrun did not take long to adjust and before the quarter hour they could have even drawn level. From a Jake Grech corner, Luke Grech’s header rebounded off the upright with Floriana keeper Haber beaten.

There was another scare three minutes later as Jake Grech’s shot on the turn forced Haber to stretch himself and tip the ball over the bar into a corner.

Floriana meanwhile sought defensive security in an otherwise uneventful first period where there was little in the way of clear-cut chances as the Greens ventured inside enemy territory less often even after Hamrun’s fury abated.

But three goals before the hour mark made the second half look more entertaining although little enterprising.

Floriana managed to increase their lead soon after the start of the second period, again in a for- tuitous manner. A Vella free kick from the left was cleared short towards Fontanella, whose cross shot was deflected by Hamrun defender Luke Grech into his own goal.

On 58 minutes Floriana were also awarded a penalty after Vella was brought down by the Hamrun keeper who rushed out to block him. Nicolas Chiesa made no mistake from the spot.

Hamrun’s response was immediate. On the hour Patrick Texeira pulled one back for the Spartans, beating keeper Haber with a low strike.

Hamrun even put in their new recruit Manolito Micallef for Luke Grech three minutes later but goals continued to flow as Floriana scored their fourth and assuring goal on 65 minutes. A Vella free kick was only parried by Hamrun keeper Tabone and Enzo Ruiz was quick to shoot in from close range.

That was a comfortable lead for the Greens who needed not stretch themselves any further. As Hamrun looked demoralised, there was still time for lanky defender Enzo Ruiz to score a fifth, two minutes from time, heading in another corner form the industrious Vella.

■ Jacques Scerri’s debut in charge of Hamrun Spartans started with a heavy defeat against an ever improving Floriana side, bursting with enthusiasm. Thanks to this comfortable win, Floriana stretch their unbeaten streak to ten matches and now lift...