Senglea draw more comfort in shoddy stalemate

Football - BOV Premier League

place, one point adrift of Gzira United who have a game in hand.

Floriana made only one change, as Sebastian Nayar returned from suspension and started instead of Dylan Grima.

By contrast, Senglea’s starting line-up showed a rift of changes following defeat against Hamrun Spartans. Steve Bonnici, Ian Azzopardi, Hubert Vella, Brian Volpini and Peter Sammut were all handed starts as Favaretto’s side was missing Virano, Braga, Palmieri and the suspended Leyton.

Their defenders, Azzopardi and Bondin battled down the flanks, winning a couple of block tackles on Cabral and Steve Pisani as Floriana were enjoying more of the ball in the early exchanges.

The Greens were unable to create opportunities and after an early Fontanella nod ended in keeper Farrugia’s safe hands, Floriana only fashioned an opportunity of note three minutes before the break when a Vella shot from outside the area was blocked by the Senglea keeper.

Senglea had been composed, well disciplined at the back. Volpini took a crack at Floriana’s goal after 35 minutes with a curling free kick that had the Floriana keeper Akpan diving to turn the ball around into a corner.

A shabby first half ended goalless.

Floriana coach Chiesa made a tactical change at halftime. He withdrew Paolucci and introduced Dylan Grima at left back, switching Jurgen Pisani as centre back and moving Nayar upfield.

They came at Senglea hard after the restart. Nayar served Cabral from the left but the Floriana player was blocked inside the Senglea area.

Towards the hour, Fontanella arrived fractionally late on Nayar’s low cross from the right and later a Cabral grounder took a wicked deflection into a corner.

On 80 minutes, Sammut broke down the left flank for Senglea, with his pass towards Paz who shot straight at keeper Akpan.

On the other end, Marcelina headed Maurizio Vella’s floating free kick over.

In a frantic final few moments that belied the mundanity of the rest of the match, Maurizio Vella wriggled his way inside the Senglea area but was not allowed any space and thus unable to make the breakthrough.

■ This match offered very little in terms of chances and excitement. A point perhaps serves Senglea Athletic better as they move closer to safety, six points above 12th placed St Andrews in the standings, thanks their tireless workrate with defensive...