Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/878567
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2017 47 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Floriana battle hard in victory over Hamrun Spartans PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG Hamrun .......................0 Floriana .......................1 WARREN ZAMMIT Floriana were quick to create a first opportunity in yesterday's match against Hamrun Spartans, after nine minutes. From a cor- ner, Mario Fontanella sent a cross towards Ignacio Varela, whose header however was neutralised by Hamrun's keeper Steve Sul- tana. The Spartans hit back on the 28th minute. Dale Camilleri sent a cross that caused havoc inside Floriana's penalty area. The ball went into the path of Mauricio Jose Marinho whose close range shot was saved by Ini Etim Akpan. Five minutes later, Hamrun threatened again. Guilherme Fe- lipe De Castro sent a shot from a free-kick that was neutralised by Akpan. On the 35th minute, Lydon Micallef lost a golden opportu- nity for Ħamrun. Akpan sent his clearance directly towards Mi- callef who went past him, but de- layed his shot in front of an open goal. Enzo Ruiz rushed back and blocked his effort. Floriana replied on the brink of half-time. Juninho Cabral re- ceived the ball inside the penalty area and hit a low shot that was saved by Steve Sultana. Two minutes into the second half, Sultana was alert once more as he managed to block Fontanel- la's close-range shot. The greens kept pushing for- ward and went close again on the 53rd minute when Clyde Borg served Cabral but the latter fired high. A minute later, following a cross from the left, Fontanella headed slightly wide. Floriana lost another great op- portunity on the 69th minute when the Brazilian Cabral went on a good run inside the penalty area, but lost his composure in front of the goalkeeper and slotted the ball off-target. On the 77th minute, Floriana's substitute Leighton Grech re- ceived the ball on the right side of the penalty area and fired a shot that was saved by Sultana in two attempts. Floriana's efforts paid off on the 82nd minute. Leighton Grech de- livered a cross towards Emerson Marcellina whose header was saved by Sultana. From the re- bound, Pepe finished home. A minute later, Maurizio Vella of Floriana fired over from inside the penalty area. Hamrun Spartans starting line- up: Steve Sultana, Karl Micallef, Daniel Zerafa, Lydon Micallef, Triston Caruana, Dale Camilleri, Guilherme Felipe De Castro, Thi- ago Espindola De Paula, Terence Agius, Mauricio Jose Marinho, Arab Siraj Eddin Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Akpan, James Baldacchino, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Clyde Borg, Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Alex Cini, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Mar- cellina Referee: Clayton Pisani Assistant Referees: Edward Spi- teri, Mitchell Scerri Fourth Official: : Jurgen Spiteri Yellow Cards: Borg (Floriana), Camilleri (Ħamrun), Marcellina (Floriana), Varela (Floriana), Mi- callef (Ħamrun) BOV Player of the Match: : Jun- inho Cabral (Floriana)