Calcado strike floors luckless Greens

Floriana 0
Msida St Joseph 1
Calcado 25

Msida St Joseph made another giant stride towards Championship Pool football after they edged Floriana in an entertaining encounter yesterday.

For the umpteenth time this season, Pedro Calcado was Msida's saviour as the Brazilian forward struck the all-important winner midway through the first half to earn his team three valuable points that consolidated their grip on sixth position in the table.

In fairness, Floriana didn't deserve to leave the Hibs Ground empty-handed as they dictated the proceedings for most of the match but luck was not on their side. The Greens could have scored more than one goal as they created the better scoring chances, hitting the Msida woodwork on no fewer than four occasions.

However, in football it's the goals scored that count and Msida took the three points to maintain their positive run under stand-in coach Joe Abdilla who was surely pleased to see his team restore their seven-point lead over rivals Ħamrun Spartans, although the latter have a game in hand.

Tony Alamango, who has been put in temporary charge of Floriana following the resignation of Serbian Zoran Popovic last month, gave the green light to young Glenn Zammit to guard his team's goal in the absence of Dejan Maksic. The latter quit Floriana last month in search of pastures new.

Captain Mauro Brincat was ruled out by injury but his absence was compensated by the return of Orosco Anonam.

Msida's Abdilla had to make do without Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva, suspended, while winger Chris Camilleri was absent from the 18-man squad.

Kenneth Spiteri and Stacey Vella were included in Msida's starting formation with Tyrone Farrugia deployed in an unusual attacking position and Kurt Magro taking up a midfield role. Marcos Aurelio is still sidelined with a knee injury.

The match was balanced in the opening minutes with both sides trying to gain the upperhand. It was Msida who produced the first chance of the match when Calcado's curling free-kick was pushed away by Zammit.

Three minutes later, Floriana were unlucky not to forge ahead when Christian Caruana slid the ball into the path of Anonam who immediately fed Ryan Darmanin. The Floriana striker, scorer of a hat-trick against Sliema Wanderers, let fly a powerful drive that smacked against the crossbar.

A minute later, defender Julian Briffa sped through the Msida defence and quickly served the unmarked Darmanin who took too much time to conclude and his deviated effort was blocked by Matthew Camilleri.

However, on 25 minutes, it was Msida who broke the stalemate when Adrian Farrugia's exquisite through-ball found Tyrone Farrugia in ample space on the left channel. The younger Farrugia powered his way into the area before serving Calcado who had little difficulty rifling the ball past Zammit.

On the half hour, the woodwork again denied Floriana an equaliser when Marlon Briffa's cross-shot bounced off the bar before the Msida defence cleared.

Three minutes later, Tyrone Farrugia's volley was blocked by Zammit.

Five minutes from half-time, Floriana appealed for a penalty when Marlon Briffa looked to have been floored by Andrew Spiteri just inside the box but referee Adrian Azzopardi waved play on. He later booked the Greens winger.

Ten minutes into the second half, Floriana should have drawn level when Caruana put Marlon Briffa through on goal but the speedy winger saw his shot being parried away by the alert Camilleri.

Floriana were now increasing their pressure with Msida defending en masse to hold on to their advantage.

With 17 minutes remaining, Floriana could only rue their ill-luck when Caruana's curling shot from inside the area came off the bar with Camilleri beaten.

Time was running out for Floriana who, despite their territorial dominance, were finding it increasingly difficult to carve out clear openings.

Five minutes from the end, Camilleri prevented his former team snatching an equaliser. Pablo Doffo's curling cross was met by Darmanin but the Msida no.1 tipped the ball over the bar.

At the other end, Magro should have put the match beyond Floriana's reach when, three minutes before the end of normal time, he found himself unmarked in the penalty area but saw his effort being palmed away by Zammit.

Floriana hit the bar for the fourth time in the match in stoppage time when substitute Aleksandar Madzar supplied a cross into the area and Darmanin's header was stopped by the woodwork.

It was clearly not Floriana's day and seconds later, the Msida clan could kick off their celebrations as the referee blew the final whistle.

Floriana
G. Zammit-6, O. Bugeja-6 ('65 D. Pisani-5), S. Eboh-5.5, C. Camoin-5.5 ('76 J. Borg), P. Doffo-7.5, L. Agius-6, M. Briffa-7.5, C. Caruana-5 ('86 A. Madzar), O. Anonam-6.5, R. Darmanin-7, J. Briffa-5.

Msida
M. Camilleri-6, S. Grima-6, A. Spiteri-6, K. Spiteri-6, S. Vella-6.5, K. Mifsud-5, T. Farrugia-6.5, D. Cachia-5, A. Farrugia-6, P. Calcado-6.5, K. Magro-6 ('90 E. Navarro).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Vella; A. Spiteri; Briffa; K. Spiteri; Agius; Calcado.

BoV player of the match: Marlon Briffa (Floriana).