Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/761508
50 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2016 FOOTBALL Unlucky Floriana held by Tarxien Rainbows Floriana ...................... 1 Tarxein Rainbows ......... 1 WARREN ZAMMIT FLORIANA made a perfect start to the match as they went ahead after just four minutes. Maurizio Vella fired a shot from a distance that was parried by Andrea Cas- sar. Rebound fell for Mario Fon- tanella who finished inside the net. Giovanni Tedesco was forced to make an early substitution on the 25th minute when Enrico Pepe was injured and was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli. The greens nearly doubled the score on the 34th minute. Fon- tanella f licked the ball towards Amadou Samb who went inside the penalty area and sent a volley that hit the upright. The Rainbows responded on the 39th minute. Alex Da Paixao Alves fired a shot from a distance that was neutralised by Justin Haber. A minute into the second half, Steve Pisani of Floriana tried his luck from some distance, but his shot went high. On the 48th minute, Flori- ana won a free kick just outside the penalty area and Ruiz took charge of it. The Argentine hit a shot that was well saved by Cas- sar. Tedesco's side kept pushing forward and won a penalty two minutes later. Ebiabowei Baker brought down Vella inside the penalty area and the referee or- dered a penalty. However, Nico- las Chiesa saw his shot from the penalty spot being saved by Cas- sar. From the rebound, Fontanel- la headed over. Tarxien created a good chance on the hour mark. Triston Caru- ana delivered the ball inside the penalty area towards Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia; however, the Spanish player over hit his shot and the chance was lost. Jesmond Zerafa's side equal- ised five minutes later. Ponce De Leon Garcia sent a cross in- side the penalty area towards the unmarked Triston Caruana who jumped high and headed past Haber. Floriana were unlucky once more on the 71st minute. Vella hit a shot from distance that took a def lection and hit the post be- fore going out. From the result- ing corner, Jurgen Pisani fired a header that went high. The Rainbows nearly went ahead for the first time in the match on the 77th minute. Alex Nilsson went on a good run and hit a shot that was saved by Haber. From the rebound, Ponce De Leon Garcia saw his effort go- ing slightly wide. Tarxien kept on dominating the latter stages of the match and had another chance on the 82nd min- ute. Da Paixao Alves went inside the penalty area, but his shot hit the side netting. Two minutes from time, Sacha Borg lost a golden opportunity for Tarxien. Da Paixao Alves went on the right f lank and de- livered the ball towards Borg who from an ideal position failed to hit the target. Floriana starting line-up: Justin Haber, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg , Mau- rizio Vella, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Amadou Samb, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella. Tarxien Rainbows starting line- up: Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Emerson Marcellina, Ju- lian Galea, Triston Caruana, Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Alex Fernandez prendes, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Matthew Tabone, Sacha Borg. Referee: Matthew Degabriele Assistant referees: Alan Camill- eri, Sammy Attard Fourth of ficial: Clayton Pisani BOV player of the match: Mau- rizio Vella (Floriana) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG Floriana will feel disappointed with the draw as they lost a penalty and hit the post twice in a tightly contested match Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia of Tarxien Rainbows in action during their match against Floriana.