Floriana keep dream alive

Mosta 1
Grima 4
Floriana 3
Spiteri 78; Ghebru 112; Darmanin 120 pen.
(aet; 90 mins - 1-1)

Floriana's progress to the final was a foregone conclusion if all the talk on the likelihood of a showdown between the Greens and Valletta was anything to go by.

But, as the old adage goes, there are no favourites in cup ties as Mosta, who ousted Sliema in the previous round, fought bravely to stretch their opponents into extra-time before succumbing to two late goals.

Indeed, an upset looked on the cards as Mosta took an early lead but the erstwhile inept Greens awoke from their first-half torpor to force extra-time before sealing the issue after goalkeeper Bernard Paris had stopped Mark Briggs's penalty.

Mosta had stunned Floriana by seizing the lead inside the opening four minutes. Briggs was the provider with a perfectly-weighted free-kick and Lee Grima headed past Paris from close in.

Given the early timing of Mosta's opener, one expected Floriana to produce an instant reaction but Popovic's men lacked the verve to disrupt Mosta's growing assurance.

Mosta might have increased their lead two minutes into the second half when Grima, profiting from Lijeskic's hesitancy in defence, let fly from just outside the area but his shot deflected off a defender.

Popovic promptly hauled off Lijeskic and threw on Clyde Borg.

The Greens, at last, brought some urgency to their game. Sacha Borg's shot cannoned off the bar. Moments later, Darmanin tried to beat Debono with a looping shot but the Mosta keeper was equal to the task.

Floriana were now posing more problems to the Mosta defence. Four minutes past the hour mark, Stefano Grima sent a long cross into the box where Darmanin hit an acrobatic kick that missed the target.

Floriana came close to levelling the tie when, with 17 minutes remaining, Sacha Borg capitalised on Mosta's failure to deal with an innocuous cross from the right but his attempt took a slight deflection that sent the ball just wide.

Mark Spiteri had not been on the pitch for more than 10 seconds when he equalised for Floriana. Again, the Mosta defence was found wanting and Spiteri slotted past Debono.

Clyde Borg went close for Floriana with a ferocious drive that flew over the bar. With two minutes left, Debono did well to keep out Darmanin's header as the game drifted into extra-time.

Mosta were the brighter side at this stage but Floriana laid siege to their opponents' goal in the final minutes. Ghebru's cross was met with a far-post header by Darmanin with the ball landing atop the bar.

Just before the change of ends Mosta's spirits rose as they were awarded a penalty after Doffo appeared to block Briggs's header with his hands but to Floriana's relief, Paris dived to his right to save Briggs's spot-kick.

Emboldened by Paris's intervention, Floriana went ahead on 112 minutes Ghebru drilling a low shot past Debono after being put through by Darmanin.

Debono denied Darmanin when stopping his grounder. Then, in stoppage time, a Floriana counter-attack saw Ghebru sprint clear but the winger was brought down by Debono in the box. Darmanin drove home the penalty for a 3-1 scoreline.

Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, B. Galea, L. Stivala ('105 M. Brincat), M. Briggs, J. Vella, L. Grima ('75 C. Pace), T. Vella, G. Martin, V. Osobu ('46 L. Micallef).

Floriana: B. Paris, B. Said, O. Bugeja, C. Ciantar ('64 S. Grima), S. Lijeskic ('49 C. Borg), R. Darmanin, M. Ghebru, J. Borg ('77 M. Spiteri), S. Borg, P. Doffo, O. Anonam.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Ciantar; Farrugia; Darmanin; C. Borg; J. Vella; T. Vella; Debono.

Missed penalty: Briggs (M) 105.