Drab encounter ends goalless

tively.

Floriana missed Clayton Failla, Juninho Cabral and Leighton Grech with their opponents fielding practically their typical starting eleven.

The first half was rather drab with neither team setting any bushes on fire. In fact the Saints started well but faded out. But they were the ones who went near to breaking the deadlock when on 23 minutes an Atkinson corner was turned into a corner by Akpan.

Seven minutes from the end of the first half off a Joseph Farrugia free kick the ball was deflected towards Reid and finally ending wide off the mark.

Both teams started the second half more lively with Floriana going near in the 50th minute when a Galesic shot was deflected onto the side rigging and into a corner. The Saints responded two minutes later when a low drive by Davis was saved by Akpan.

Midway through the second half St. Andrew’s upped their tempo and on 67 minutes off a Brown cross Davis missed a sitter when his shot from beneath the goal mouth sailed over the bar.

And in the 70th minute Davis se ton Reid but the latters shot was turned onto a corner by Akpan. Six minutes from the end Floriana nearly stole it when off an Oyama corner from the left a headed effort by Varela was blocked by the Saints rearguard.

A few seconds later Calleja was on the alert anticipating Varela and intercepting a Borg inswinger. In stoppage time St. Andrew’s had to play the three minutes of stoppage time with ten players when Amoy Brown was given the marching orders for a second bookable offence in the space of two minutes.

one step down. The Saints have gained momentum in their last matches collecting ten points from a possible eighteen. They were also rather unlucky to end on the losing end against high flying Valletta in their last outing.Not the same can be said of Floriana who have lost four of their last five matches with Ugolotti who came in place of Oliveira still seeking his first win.Incidentally last week both teams had to bow out of the FA Trophy with St. Andrew’s and Floriana losing against Sliema and Hamrun Spartans respec- Floriana's Alexander Cini (C) blocks the way to St. Andrews in-form striker Martin Davies

St. Andrews captain Joseph Farrugia (R) is challenged in time by Enzo Ruiz of Floriana (partially hidden) Photos: Domenic Aquilina