FLORIANA-3, BALZAN-1

Two first-half goals from Sunday Wasiu set Floriana on the way to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Balzan in a clash between two top-six hopefuls.

The Greens' win extended their positive run to four games while the off-colour Balzan crashed to their first defeat in nine matches.

Only 13 minutes from the start had passed when Floriana took the lead. Balzan goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone failed to clear Duncan Pisani's cross and Wasiu scored from close in after his initial attempt had been blocked by Matthew Mendy, the Balzan defender.

The erstwhile subdued Balzan created their first chance on 24 minutes, Dylan Grima volleying wide from Jacob Borg's cross.

Yet, it was Floriana who deservedly increased their lead nine minutes from half-time when Wasiu headed home from Igor Coronado's corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Tabone just managed to push away Coronado's effort.

The Greens all but sealed their win three minutes into the second half when Tabone failed to hold Coronado's central free-kick.

Floriana remained on top for much of the second half as Balzan failed to make a reaction.

Six minutes from time, Balzan pulled one back when Christian Caruana, on as a substitute, drove home from close range after receiving from Elton.

Wasiu, Floriana's two-goal striker, was voted BOV player of the match.