Late Baldacchino strike lifts Greens

Floriana 2
St Patrick 1

Two goals from striker Nicolò Baldacchino, the second of which came two minutes from time, helped Floriana grind out a hard-fought win over Premier League strugglers St Patrick at the Centenary Stadium yesterday.

St Patrick will certainly feel hard-done by the final scoreline as the Zabbar side produced a determined performance which should at least saw them leave Ta' Qali with a point.

But it was not to be for Bobby Giorev's team who were undone by that late strike by Baldacchino that handed Floriana three precious points in their quest to reach a top-six finish at the end of the first phase of the championship.

Willie Vassallo's men have now moved up to fourth in the Premier League standings, on 19 points, albeit with a game more. But their success has put pressure on their Championship Pool rivals who all face tricky matches between today and tomorrow.

The opening 30 minutes of the match turned out to be a drab affair with both teams opting to preserve possession rather than trying to carve an opening in their opponents' defence.

The first goalscoring opportunity of the match was created by Floriana in the 35th minute. St Patrick goalkeeper Alex Camilleri, who was making a return to action after recovering from a long-term injury, had to be on the alert to keep out a Christian Cassar free-kick.

The Saints replied four minutes later and what a way to respond. Thomas Caruana's cross-shot was tipped to a corner by Reuben Gauci, the Floriana goalkeeper. From the resultant flag-kick, taken by Caruana, Benoir Fenech rose above the Floriana defenders to head the ball firmly into the net.

The goal stunned the Greens who should have restored parity a minute later. Another Cassar free-kick was partially kept out by Camilleri, the ball fell into the path of Manolito Micallef who surprisingly hit the post from close in.

The Saints refused to sit back and on the stroke of half-time they almost doubled their advantage. Chima Dozie was first onto an Arnold Buttigieg free-kick but his header was stopped by the woodwork.

When ends were changed, Floriana came out determined to turn the match in their favour. On 46 minutes an Ian Azzopardi free-kick was well saved by Camilleri.

Two minutes later, Floriana were again denied by the woodwork when Baldacchino's header hit the upright.

In the 49th minute, the Greens had a glorious chance to equalise. They were awarded a penalty when Micallef was floored in the Saints' area by Robert Cassar. But Edoardo Do Nascimento's shot from the spot was well saved by the impressive Camilleri.

But the Greens were not to be denied and on 55 minutes they equalised. Mario Caruana's long clearance fell into the path of Baldacchino who beat Camilleri with a well-executed lob from just inside the area.

The goal spurred Floriana further forward but despite holding most of the initiative they failed to create much trouble to the alert Camilleri.

Instead it was St Patrick who could have notched a second goal ten minutes from time. Substitute Clayton Micallef picked up well Caruana in the area but the Saints forward concluded poorly.

The Saints paid dearly for this miss as two minutes from time Floriana struck the winner.

Baldacchino took full advantage of a poor clearance by the St Patrick defence and the Malta U-21 striker easily slotted the ball home from close in.

St Patrick's problems were further compounded in injury time when Peter Anizoba was sent off when he was shown a second yellow card for dissent.

Floriana: R. Gauci-6, M. Caruana-6, I. Azzopardi-6, C. Ciantar-6, J.C. Schembri-6, K. Formosa-6, T. Cilia-6, E. Do Nascimento-6 ('59 R. Darmanin), M. Micallef-7, N. Baldacchino-8 ('90 G. Bencini), C. Cassar-6.

St Patrick: A. Camilleri-8, R. Cassar-5, A. Buttigieg-6, M. Fleri Soler-5, C. Failla-6, T. Caruana-6, G. Failla-5 ('76 C.Micallef), B. Fenech-6, P. Anizoba, S. Costa Brasilino-6, C. Dozie-6.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Scorers: Fenech 40; Baldacchino 55, 88.

Yellow Cards: Anizoba, R. Cassar, G. Failla, Baldacchino.

Red Card: Anizoba 90.

Player Of The Match: Nicolò Baldacchino (Floriana).

Standings