HIBERNIANS 0
FLORIANA 2
Varela 25
Agius 72
Floriana made a flying start under the charge of new coach Luis Oliveira as they scored a goal in each half to see of Hibernians 2-0.
For the Greens this was their first league win of the season after they had suffered back-to-back defeats to Hamrun Spartans and Sliema in their first two outings.
Hibs threatened after only nine minutes of play.
Jurgen Degabriele picked Dunstan Vella on the edge of the area and the Malta U-21 midfielder saw his effort deflected just past the upright.
Floriana’s response soon arrived as four minutes later Vella embarked on a surging run before hitting a firm drive that was pushed away by the diving Andrew Hogg.
At the other end, Enzo Ruiz came to Floriana’s rescue as the Argentine defender was well placed to clear off the line Degabriele’s shot after the Malta U-21 striker had been teed up by Joseph Mbong.
Floriana took the lead on 25 minutes when Alex Cini picked Ignacio Varela inside the area and the Argentine striker headed the ball firmly past Hogg.
Hibs tried to force their way into the match and just before the half-time whistle, the Paolites threatened when Degabriele’s cross was deflected into the path of Johann Bezzina who hit a thumping drive that finished just wide.
Sanderra looked to add more firepower and he withdrew Vella, a defensive midfielder, and roped in Taylon, a Brazilian striker.
On the hour, Hibernians did have the ball into the Floriana net when Marcelo Dias sent a curling cross towards Tiago Fonseca who rifled the ball past Akpan.
But the ‘goal’ was annulled as the referee felt that the Hibs forward had committed a handball when trying to control the ball.
On 62 minutes, Mbong put Taylon in acres of space but the Brazilian saw his curling drive pushed away by Akpan.
Twenty minutes from time, Oliveira withdrew Vella and roped in Daniel Agius.
The Floriana youngster took little time to leave his mark into the match as barely 30 seconds later he received a pass from Varela and let fly a firm low drive that completely surprised Hogg.
Hibs should have pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Pisani floored Ntow inside the area but from the spot Johann Bezzina saw his shot pushed away by Akpan to the delight of the Floriana fans who celebrated their first win of the season.
Hibs midfielder Johann Bezzina was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.