Last-minute drama at the Stadium

Once again, this week's narration goes back to the late forties, a period in the history of football when the local game was flourishing.

It was Saturday, December 7, 1946 and Floriana were playing Hibernians in the first round of the league.

The two teams were, at the time, experiencing contrasting fortunes in the championship. Floriana were in the top part of the standings, only one point behind leaders Valletta, while Hibs were still waiting for their first point at the bottom of the table.

It seemed a foregone conclusion that Floriana would stroll easily through this encounter. In football however, there are no certainties.

Hibs replaced their regular goalkeeper Spiteri with the promising but inexperienced Johnnie Formosa and brought in Cachia at left-half in place of the injured Censu Friggieri. These changes seemed to work wonders.

The team was transformed beyond recognition from its previous outings and, from the first kick of the ball, it was obvious that Floriana were in for a very difficult afternoon.

Conscious of their lowly position in the table, Hibs tried to keep things tight at the back. For the first time that season, their defence seemed to be as solid as a rock.

Their half-backs, Harry Ear, Deguara and Cachia were outstanding and the full-backs, Theuma and Edwards, gave the Floriana wingers no chance to settle down on the ball with their immediate tackling.

On the other hand, the Hibs' forward line, led by Falzon and Victor Whelpdale, kept the Floriana defence very busy.

Floriana had the best of the early exchanges. Going for an early goal, they forced Formosa into a couple of difficult saves.

It was not long however, before Hibs got in their stride. Play began to flow from one end to the other and while Formosa did well to save from Herbert, Hibs' Pirotta shot just wide of the near upright.

For most of the first half, play was evenly divided. Then, a few minutes from half-time, it began to rain heavily. The deluge seemed to dampen Floriana's ardour but as Hibs acclimatised themselves better to the conditions, they penned their opponents in their half.

Centre-half Ear went up with his forwards and broke the deadlock with a full-bloodied shot from 30 yards into the right-hand corner of the net.

Floriana took to the field in the second half determined to get back on level terms.

As the minutes ticked away, they increased their pressure. Then, with only five minutes left on the clock, justice was done when Micallef-Podesta finally brought the score level with a perfect lob to the near upright.

This goal seemed to galvanise Floriana. Scenting victory, they intensified their efforts but Hibs were up for the challenge. Their defence held firm and their midfield started to move forward with more purpose.

Less than three minutes remained before the end of normal time but there was no let-up. Both teams threw caution to the wind in a last-ditch attempt to snatch a dramatic victory.

The crowd was on it feet as the ball swung from one end of the ground to the other.

Encouraged by their late equaliser, Floriana were perhaps that little more adventurous but it was Hibs who hit the jackpot. With very little time left for the end of the game, Whelpdale sent in a defence-splitting pass to Falzon who coolly controlled the ball and placed it well wide of Floriana's goalkeeper Burke.

It was an excellent goal worthy of a veteran.

There was hardly time left for the Greens to restart the game before the referee blew his whistle.

The end was greeted with scenes of joy from the Hibs' players and their supporters.

Hibs could at last breathe easier in their fight against relegation while Floriana were forced to surrender the league leadership to their rivals from Valletta.