Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/475084
34 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 8 MARCH 2015 Sport Balzan. ..................... 0 Floriana .................... 3 EDWARD FALZON FLORIANA produced a strong performance and came out easy winners in what was expected to be a closer encounter between two teams v ying for fourth place. Balzan failed to show up against the greens with Oliver Spiteri 's men being outclassed and out- played from the first whistle of the game. The hero for the greens was the Italian Matteo Picciollo, who was returning to the team following a suspension and made his presence felt by scoring two of the three goals scored against Balzan. Floriana now move on 24 points, just one point behind third placed Valletta who are still to play Tarx- ien this afternoon. Following this defeat, Balzan have now lost two of their last four matches. Coach Oliver Spiteri was missing the injured Gianmarco Piccioni. In their first attempt, Floriana went close to scoring through a direct Steve Pisani free-kick which was turned into a corner by Balzan keeper Sultana. On 20 minutes, Sultana was again called into action when Samb, served by Picciollo had his low drive parried away. Three minutes before the break, Floriana opened the score when off a cross by Vito Plut from the left f lank; Picciollo beat Sultana with a neat header. Seven minutes into the second half and Floriana increased their lead. Steve Pisani put in a cross from the right side, which found the on- coming Picciollo who again beat the goalkeeper with a first timer. With Balzan failing to reduce the deficit, Floriana finished off the match by scoring their third when off a Steve Pisani free kick, Conor Borg headed the ball into the net to make it 3 and easy for the greens. Balzan almost scored a conso- lation goal when Kaljevic had his powerful shot cleared off the line by defender Clyde Borg to preserve a clean sheet for his team. Balzan; Sultana, Grioli, Grima (Agius 69'), Guerrero, Zarate (Darmanin 57'), Bezzina, Kaljevic, Guobadia, Arab, Mifsud Triganza (Micallef 57'), Valero Floriana; Calleja Cremona, Moreira Cobo, Emerson, Pisani, Plut (S.Borg 90'), Picciollo, C.Borg , Brif fa, Samb (Coronado 77'), Mi- callef, Bonnici (Clyde Borg 73' Referee: Esther Azzopardi Yellow Cards: Picciollo, Valero, Sultana Scorers: Picciollo 42 , 52', Conor Borg 76' BOV Man of the Match: Matteo Picciollo Floriana register commanding win in direct clash FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GALEA