Hibs 3 Floriana 1
Late goals from Jurgen Degabriele and Gilmar enabled Hibernians to overcome ten-man Floriana 3-1 at the National Stadium.
Floriana created the first chance after only two minutes when they were awarded a central free-kick and Andrea Scozzese’s curling was blocked by Justin Haber, the Hibs goalkeeper.
But Floriana took the lead on 14 minutes.
Emerson Marcelina passed the ball to Enrico Chiesa who sent a dipping cross inside the area which was misjudged by Clayton Failla and in came Steve Pisani who rattled his shot into the net.
Hibs were stunned by the champions were handed a route back in the match on 22 minutes.
Jackson Lima profited from poor communication between Clyde Borg and Scozzese to win possession before storming into the area and beat Calleja Cremona with a low drive.
Floriana tried to regroup and on 29 minutes Fontanella had a good chance to put his team back in front when he sped past Andrei Agius but his low drive was somehow kept out by Haber.
On the half hour, Agius’s long pass found Degabriele who was anticipate d by the onrushing Calleja Cremona. The ball fell to Jorginho who tried to move past the Floriana goalkeeper who upended him just outside the area.
Referee Esther Azzopardi awarded a free-kick and dismissed Calleja Cremona much to the chargrin of the Floriana bench, particularly coach Luis Oliveira and president Riccardo Gaucci with the former sent to the stands.
Clyde Borg was the Floriana player to make way for goalkeeper Matthew Grech.
Grech was soon in action as on 40 minutes he did well to block Jorginho’s shot.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Degabriele came close but his shot finished wide.
Two minutes later, Piciollo had a glorious chance to put his team back in front. The Italian striker latched onto Chiesa’s throughball but he incredibly fired over with only Haber to beat.
Piciollo missed another clear-cut opportunity on 65 minutes when he again was put clear by Chiesa and with only Haber to beat he saw his lob finish just over.
Floriana paid dearly for this miss as on 71 minutes Hibs took the lead.
Degabriele exchanged the ball with Jorginho and the young Hibs striker hit a low drive that gave no chance to Grech.
Hibs all but killed off Floriana’s hopes six minutes from time when Jorginho released Gilmar inside the area and the Brazilian drilled the ball past Grech.
Floriana defender Andrea Scozzese was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.