Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/490723
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 APRIL 2015 33 Sport FOOTBALL SPORTTODAY Floriana strengthen grip on fourth place Zebbug Rangers ........... 1 Floriana ...................... 3 EDWARD FALZON FLORIANA strengthened their chances of playing in the Europa League next season and secure a top four finish as they beat Zebbug Rangers 3-1. It was a well-deserved victory for the Greens who extended their positive run to nine matches, moving two points ahead of Balzan and five adrift of rivals Valletta. For Zebbug this was another nega- tive setback in their fight against rel- egation and they have now suffered five consecutive defeats, occupying second from bottom, two points above bottom placed Tarxien. Floriana took the lead on 28 min- utes when off a cross from Manuel Briffa, Vito Plut neatly placed the ball into the net, past goalkeeper Farrugia. Only three minutes later and Floriana scored their second when Zebbug defender handled the ball in the penalty area, for the referee to order a penalty. From the result- ant penalty, Matteo Picciollo made it 2-0. Zebbug tried to create some sort of reaction and went close through Miguel Ciantar, whose effort was turned into a corner by loanee keep- er Calleja Cremona. After the break, Zebbug immedi- ately reduced the gap between the sides when off a cross by Miguel Ciantar, Rashid Yussuf served by Britto, beat Cremona. Five minutes from the end with Zebbug trying hard to notch an equaliser, Floriana managed to hit their opponents instead in a swift counter attack with Manuel Briffa advanced from midfield unop- posed, dribbled the Zebbug keeper and placed the ball into the net. Zebbug Rangers: Farrugia, Borg, Barbetti, Bartolo, Reano, Yussuf, Monti, Montebello (Gauci 65'), Ciantar (S.Borg 74'), Galea (Zam- mit 6'), Britto Floriana: Calleja Cremona, Morei- ra Cobo, Marcelina, Pisani, C.Borg (Farrugia 18'), Plut, Piciolo, Micallef (Galea 64'), Briffa, Samb (Muir 60'), Micallef Referee: Alan Mario Sant Yellow Cards: Zammit, Cobo Scorers: Plut 28' (F), Piciollo 31' (F), Yussuf 49' (Z), Briffa 86' (F) BOV Man of the Match: Matteo Piciollo Floriana players celebrate PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD