Back-to- back wins against Mosta and Floriana lift Qormi to eighth place, three points above the Greens in the BoV Premier League standings.
Qormi deserved their halftime advantage, having played the more cohesive football, but had to weather some really sustained pressure from Floriana, who
launched a barnstorming start to the second half to knock Qormi out of their stride and twice reduced the arrears. Qormi finally made good of the points with their lethal finishing on the counter to expose all of Floriana's frailties at the back.
Notable absentees because of suspensions were Frank Temile of Qormi and Amadou Samb of Floriana and that dented both teams' attacking edge.
Giovanni Galea started as central striker for the Greens who also had Gary Muir returning in the first team, with Emanuel Briffa making way.
Qormi meanwhile started with Ryan Micallef for Temile and Albert Bruce instead of Bjorn Bondin.
Buoyed by their encouraging win against Mosta before the international break, Qormi followed that up with a blistering start against unsettled opponents yesterday.
Before taking a double lead within as many minutes in the first half, Chetcuti had already fluffed a good chance for Qormi by the quarter hour, when shooting tamely at Floriana keeper Senatore after put clear by Effiong's dipping pass inside the area.
Qormi made the breakthrough after 20 minutes. Anderson Santos Quatrochi rose unhindered to head Chetcuti's sailing free kick from the right past the static keeper Senatore at the far post.
Two minutes later wide back Duncan Pisani advanced down the right and again beat the Floriana keeper, this time at the near post, with a low drive from a tight angle.
Floriana's only threat in this half came five minutes before the break. A Cobo free kick from the edge of the Qormi area on the left clipped the top corner with keeper Farrugia averting the danger.
But Floriana were handed a lifeline at the start of the second half. Within a minute, Piciollo beat the offside trap, on Plut's through ball, sent a low cross and substitute Isaac Galea, who had replaced Gianni Galea, darted in to knock the ball over the line.
That heralded Floriana's best patch but as they were probing hard for an equaliser, after putting in Emanuel Briffa for Clyde Borg, they were hit hard by Qormi's third goal on 64 minutes.
Ryan Micallef took the ball in his stride and went past two opponents inside the Floriana area before shooting past the helpless Senatore.
But Floriana were far from finished and two minutes later, when keeper Farrugia dropped the ball on Piccioni's challenge on an Isaac Galea cross, Vito Plut hit it in.
As Floriana pressed forward, they left gaps at the back. On a Qormi counter, Effiong's run ended with his effort blocked into a corner.
Floriana fluffed two inviting opportunities through Plut when he had his header turned into a corner over the bar and then he skied the ball when well served by Pisani inside the area. They paid the price as their vulnerable defence was again caught exposed four minutes from the end. Alfred Effiong played one-two with substitute Carmelo Farrugia, progressed past Scicluna and beat keeper Senatore from near the byeline.
Tarxien put brakes on leaders as Hibernians are left to rue missed chances
HIBERNIANS - 1
TARXIEN RAINBOWS - 1
SILVIO VELLA
Hibernians' perfect run of seven consecutive wins was brought to a halt by neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows as they conceded Wesley Lima's second half equaliser to break the perfect momentum.
Hibernians might feel frustrated because on the run of play and the number of chances created they should have won by a landslide, but the leaders were left to rue the many missed chances, especially in the first half.
Defending stoutly, but lacking enough conviction, Tarxien played second fiddle to their opponents in the first half and were lucky to go only one goal down at halftime, from a Clayton Failla superb direct free kick.
Trailing their opponents by only one goal and still very much in the game, the Rainbows grew in confidence after the restart, and especially after Marcelo Dias was sent off for Hibernians, exploiting their numerical superiority to draw level.
Tarxien, who were bereft of their injured regular goalkeeper Jonathan Debono and the suspended midfielder Hevia Menendez for the second time, stayed composed, with seven and eight players behind the ball and allowed their more technical opponents little comfort on the ball.
As expected, the leaders carved out the better chances in the first 45 minutes but laboured to breach the organised Tarxien defence, even because they showed some excessive profligacy in front of goal.
In the opening minutes Luis Edison had ample space to beat deputy keeper Sean Cini, who footed out his effort and then Jorghino lofted the loose ball. Jorghino's downward header, on a Dias cross, went over and Kristensen narrowly missed the target with his diagonal drive on 22 minutes.
Hibernians finally broke the deadlock on 35 minutes from a deadball situation, when awarded a free kick from outside the area for Bugeja's foul on Jorghino.
Clayton Failla left keeper Cini hooked to his line with his perfect execution, confirming the bright patch of form the international player is going through at the moment.
Hibernians could have added more goals befofre halftime. Failla played the ball to Dias who, with his back towards goal, played a square pass to the advancing Edison who shot wastefully over. And in added time, Jorghino chested Cohen's cross inside the area to put the Tarxien keeper off balance but shot against the upright.
Although Tarxien ventured into enemy territory with more frequency, the Paolites still remained the better team in the second half. On Jorghino's pass, Failla had his rasping shot turned ably into a corner by keeper Sean Cini and a Dias cross from teh byeline on the right beat teh Tarxien keeper but defender Alex Cinin cleared into a corner.
On the hour, Tarxien looked most menacing. Alvaro Rodrigues progressed through the middle but was stopped by the Hibernians defence inside the area among climes for a penalty.
The match really came to life in the last half hour with several defining moments. On 64 minutes Hibernians were reduced to ten men as Dias collected his second booking, for a foul on Barbosa, and was eventually dismissed. Hibernians put in Jackson Lima and retreated former substitute Jonathan Pearson at the back.
Within ten minutes Tarxien drew level. Rodriguez's corner from the right was headed towards the middle by Lopes for Wesley Lima to connect and tap in at the far post. Celebrating under the Hibernians' side earned Lima a second caution though and he was also dismissed.
It was still anybody's game in the final frantic minutes. Alvaro Rodrigues twisted and turned inside the Hibernians area when faced by Pearson but shot tamely on keeper Bonello.
On the other end, a low cross by substitute Jurgen Degabriele travelled across the face of the Traxien goal but found nobody to connect.
10-man Naxxar squander two-goal lead to draw with Zebbug
Zebbug R. 3
Naxxar L. 3
Bottom clubs Naxxar Lions and Zebbug Rangers yesterday fought out a 3-3 draw which keeps both teams at the lower end of the standings.
Naxxar squandered a 3-1 first half lead as Zebbug made another remarkable recovery (their third this season) scoring two goals in the second half to earn a merited point. They had done the same against Floriana and Tarxien earlier this season.
It was the fourth draw of the season for the Lions who are now under the charge of new coach Jesmond Zerafa who replaced Winston Muscat, dismissed by the Lions after their poor start to the season.
The match was important for both sides. In fact, both sets of players were nervous and referee Azzopardi, who was well in control, had to show one red card and nine yellow cards.
Naxxar have joined Pieta on four points while Zebbug remain at the bottom with just three points after eight games.
Both teams were searching for their first win of the season, but this still eludes both teams.
Naxxar had lost their last encounter 5-1 against leaders Hibernians, while Zebbug had lost narrowly 1-0 to Sliema.
The Rangers had the better start to the first half meritedly taking the lead with a splendid goal. But they did not keep up their promise and Naxxar came back strongly in the match.
In fact, they not only scored a quick equaliser, but went on to add two further goals which gave them a good two-goal cushion at the interval.
In the second half, enjoying numerical superiority, the Rangers attacked for most of the time as they fought their way back to a merited 3-3.
After a quiet start to the match, it was the Rangers who took the lead when Mucchiardi set Britto in the Naxxar area and he latter gave goalie Azzopardi no chance with a fine shot.
Their joy was, however, shortlived as Naxxar equalised just four minutes later. And what a goal it was! It was Da Silva Ribeiro who got hold of the ball and hit home a fine rising shot from about 25 metres beating Jeffrey Farrugia all ends up.
Naxxar went 2-1 up on the 29th minute with a beautifully executed goal. Pape Gueye set Cassar in the area. The latter squared the ball back for Daren Falzon to beat Farrugia with a swerving shot.
In the 39th minute, Naxxar added to the Rangers' woes when Terence Vella was floored in the area by Clifford Gauci. Referee Azzopardi showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot and Pape Gueye made no mistake from the spotkick to make it 3-1.
The second half started in a negative way for Naxxar who had Andrew Scicluna dismissed after receiving a second yellow card.
Zebbug immediately had a good chance to reduce the gap, but Britto's effort passed across goal.
Two minutes later, at the other end, it was Del Negro who crossed in the area for Gueye to head just wide.
In the 60th minute, Naxxar protested in vain for a penalty when Diaz Serrano seemed to have floored Gueye in the area, but the official, close to the action, ignored the Reds' protests.
Instead, the penalty arrived soon afterwards, but at the other end, when R. Cassar tripped Mucchiardi in the area. From the spot kick, Carlo Monti reduced the gap to just one goal for the Rangers.
The Yellows insisted in search of an equaliser and they were rewarded for their efforts as they levelled on the 73rd minute. It was the hard working Monti who set substitute Mamic who anticipated goalie Azzopardi, lobbing the ball into the net.
The referee's final whistle saw both teams happy with the point obtained.
Impressive win for Sliema with Azzopardi at the helm
Sliema W. 4
Mosta FC 1
Sliema Wanderers scored an impressive win over Mosta yesterday giving coach Stephen Azzopardi a very good and encouraging start on his return.
It was a third consecutive win for Sliema which has now lifted them to 12 points, one behind Mosta, who remain on 13.
Stephen Azzopardi was returning to the Sliema side he had coached between 2007 and 2010. He replaced Italian Alfonso Greco who was dismissed by the Blues a few days ago.
And despite missing two key players in Michael Mifsud and Paltemio Barbetti, the Wanderers showed impressive form far above that shown in their previous encounters where they were a struggling lot. In fact, this was their best performance so far this season.
On their part, Mosta had goalkeeper Omar Borg ruled out through injury. But this was no serious excuse for a very poor performance which will certainly put pressure on Italian coach Enrico Piccioni.
In the first half, played under a scorching sun, it was a rather poor game which rarely lifted the spirits of those present.
Play was equally shared with Sliema having a better start, also taking the lead in the seventh minute.
Mosta retaliated, but their feeble attacks brought them nowhere near an equaliser, even in the final minutes when Sliema had to continue playing in 10 men following the dismissal of Clifford Gatt Baldacchino.
In the second half, I expected Mosta to go all out to get back in the game, making the most of their numerical superiority.
Instead, it was Sliema who added a second goal soon after the restart and when the impressive Gnabouyou added a third goal, it was all over as Mosta had no reply.
When Kaljevic pulled one back 10 minutes from the end, it was certainly not enough, more so because Sliema added a fourth soon after.
Mosta threatened first on the 6th minute when after a freekick by Calcado, the ball was cleared out to Mark Brincat who, however, hit well over the bar.
At the other end, two minutes later, it was Gnabouyou - a relative newcomer in the Blues side - who beat goalie Bernal off a Talato cross to give his side the lead.
Mosta's reply arrived on the 16th minute, but Calcado's effort was weak and wide.
In the 21st minute, it was Gnabouyou who pinpointed a fine pass to Mangiacasale who controlled the ball beautifully only to see his good effort being turned to corner in style by Bernal.
On 30 minutes, Sliema missed a good chance to add a second goal to their tally when off a cross by John Mintoff, Filippo Talato headed wide when well placed.
Sliema finished in 10 men when Clifford Gatt Baldacchino received marching orders in the 41st minute after a second yellow card for a foul on Kaljevic. The freekick, taken by Calcado, went just wide.
Sliema scored a second goal soon after the interval. From a Potezika cross, it was Gnabouyou who passed to Mangiacasale for the latter to beat Bernal all ends up.
Mosta went close to narrow the gap on 49 minutes. From a Calcado freekick, it was Bueno who headed just wide.
It was 3-0 in the 55th minute. A Mangiacasale shot was partially blocked by the goalie and Gnabouyou was on the right spot to hit home.
In the 64th minute, Sliema goalie Zammit was called into action twice to save first off Bueno and then from Jovanovic to keep the Wanderers firmly in command.
Three minutes later, it was again Zammit who denied Mosta's Kaljevic.
Mosta finally reduced the margin on 80 minutes through a 20-metre shot from Kaljevic which took Zammit by surprise.
Before the end, Sliema also went close to a fourth goal through Mangiacasale, while at the other end, James Brincat hit well over the bar following a Micallef good cross.
Sliema scored their fourth and final goal in the 86th minute when Farrugia brought down Mintoff in the area. From the spotkick, it was Pisanu who converted in style.
But it was too little too late for Piccioni's side which has now slid to its third successive defeat.