Sunday 4th December 2016 – High spirited Floriana deserved to win this game against Balzan with the three all coming from set pieces. Just before half time, things became easier for Floriana wirth the dismissal of Alan Da Silva Souza for pushing Ryan Camenzuli to the ground in an off-the-ball incident.

Balzan made two changes from their last game with Bruno Gilio De Oliveira and Alfred Effiong replacing Steve Bezzina and Matteo Piciollo respectively, while Justin Grioli and Paul Fenech are still injured. On the other hand, Floriana had Mario Fontanella and Maurizio Vella both missing through suspension.

In the initial stages both teams looked tactically well prepared. Balzan’s defence were in command and Floriana forward line, composed of Ignacio Varela and Amadou Samb, were finding it hard to penetrate.

In the 11th minute Bojan Kaljevic won an aerial duel with a defender and headed the ball to Alfred Effiong whose low shot was deflected into a corner.

It was on the 29th minute that Floriana who took the lead when, off a corner taken Steve Pisani, IGNAZIO VALERA headed the ball home past goalkeeper Janjusevic.

With this goal Floriana received a boost and started playing the better football, while Balzan struggled to make ends meet.

On the 35th minute, Amadou Samb shot against the side-netting after receiving from Steve Pisani.

To make matters worse for Balzan, three minutes before half time, they were reduced to ten men. Alan Da Silva Souza was sent off for pushing Ryan Camenzuli to the ground in an off-the-ball incident.

Four minutes into the second half, Floriana doubled the score from another set piece. Off another Steve Pisani corner from the right AMADOU SAMB‘s header was deflected by a defender into the net.

Floriana increased their effort with Balzan failing to respond. On the 56th minute Floriana managed to increase the score when, off a free kick taken by Steve Pisani which caused confusion in the box, JURGEN PISANI managed to finish the ball home from close range.

After suffering the third goal Balzan regrouped and upped their game as Floriana become complacent.

On the hour Ryan Fenech returned in action for Balzan after a long injury. This gave a boost to Balzan and although a bit late the team started giving a hard time to the Floriana defense.

On the 65th minute, Balzan reduced the score when off a cross from the right by Dylan Grima Enzo Ruiz deflected the ball home past onrushing goalkeeper Justin Haber.

4 minutes later, Effiong had a great chance to further reduce the gap but his effort was blocked by a defender.

Balzan had another chance when Bojan Kaljevic dribbled past the defenders, setting Lydon Micallef whose shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Haber. The ball fell into Ryan Fenech’s path, but his effort was blocked by a defender.

In a swift counter attack, Ryan Camenzuli made his way on the left but his shot from the distance finished over the crossbar.