Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/437144
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2014 37 Sport PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD FOOTBALL SPORTTODAY EDWARD FALZON Zebbug Rangers ............ 1 Floriana ....................... 4 FLORIANA returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-1 thump- ing over a below par Zebbug Rang- ers, going ahead after just four minutes when Samb placed the ball in the net after a clever ball from Slovenian forward Plut. Floriana doubled the score six minutes later when from a Pisani free-kick, it was again Samb who rose above a Rangers defender and headed the ball to make it 2-0 for the greens. Zebbug tried to make a response and on the 26th minute saw Camilleri 's header saved by young Floriana keeper Tyrone Gauci who is doing a good job replacing Ital- ian custodian Senatore, who is out through injury. On the 70th minute Zebbug re- duced the gap through prolific striker Britto, who placed the ball behind the Floriana keeper after a fine solo effort. However Flori- ana cut short any hopes of a Ze- bbug comeback as eight minutes later Plut made it 3-1 after another good pass from Piciollo. Two minutes later, Floriana made it 4-1 when a good combi- nation between Piciollo and Plut, it was Plut who scored his second of the game together with a very good performance. Two minutes before the end, Samb was shown a red card after collecting two yel- low cards. BOV Man of the Match – Matteo Piciollo Zebbug Rangers; Dos Santos, Borg, Camilleri, Galea, Paris, Monti, Muchardi, Britto, Bar- tolo, Mamic (Marquez 68'), Gauci (Ciantar 69') Floriana; Gauci, Scicluna (Spi- teri 29'), Cobo, Marcelina (Muir 76'), Pisani, Plut, Piciollo (Farrugia 90'), Borg, Briffa, Samb, Bonnici Referee; Esther Azzopardi Floriana cruise past disappointing Zebbug Rangers Zebbug going close against Floriana Irresistible Hibs keep marching on EDWARD FALZON Pieta Hotspur ...............0 Hibernians ...................3 HIBERNIANS started the match on the offensive and on the 12th minute a Tarabai header forced a good save out of Pieta keeper Cassar. Surpris- ingly, it was the only noteworthy piece of action during the first half. In the second half Hibernians took complete control of the match, creating numerous attacks and continuously providing danger in the Pieta area when going forward. On the hour mark, Tarabai finally put the Paolites ahead with a bril- liantly taken curved shot. Three minutes later Hibernians made it two through in-form player Failla with a spectacular effort from outside the penalty box giving the keeper no chance. Two minutes before the final whistle, Pieta could have started a comeback when they were awarded a penalty after Bonello brought down a Pieta forward, giving ref- eree Mario Sant no option but to give a penalty. However, Bonello made amends and brilliantly saved the penalty taken by Pisani. After that Hibernians made all but closed the contest through Tarabai from a close range effort. BOV Man of the Match – Clayton Failla Pieta Hotspur; Cassar, Attard, Grech, Dos Santos, Pisani, Anonam, Da Silva, Rodrigues (Licari 82'), Ce- sare (Cassar 71'), Frances, Micallef (Agius 63') Hibernians; Bonello, Tabone, De- sire (Mbong 60'), Gomes (Pearson 76'), Lima, Soares, Cohen, Kris- tensen (Bezzina 79'), Failla, Agius, Dos Santos, Pereira Da Silva Referee; Alan Mario Sant