Qormi returned to winning ways yesterday when they avenged their first round defeat at the hands of Vittoriosa Stars. Qormi’s hero was midfielder Joseph Farrugia who scored the two goals that mattered early in the second half, with their custodian Matthew Farrugia preserving their lead with some good saves.

Vittoriosa gave their best after suffering the two goals, thanks to the inclusion of Zammit, Calleja and Darmanin who transformed the team.. However their effort proved to be too little too late, as Qormi held on to their lead to snatch three precious points that puts them back in the promotion hunt.

Vittoriosa had a very good start going near with Leighton Grech who was denied by the Qormi goalkeeper who effected a brilliant save. Slowly but surely, Qormi increased their rhythm as they produced some good attacking football.

Camoin had a good attempt going wide and on 22 minutes Carmel Formosa missed a sitter when he shot wide with only Cassar to beat. Qormi continued to play better and Bjorn Dalli tested Cassar with a good grounder. On 28 minutes it was Chetcuti’s turn to miss an easy chance when he blasted high from the heart of the penalty area.

On 31 minutes Qormi’s goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia made the best save of the first half when he brilliantly tipped a Scerri first timer. Just before the break the Vittoriosa goalkeeper Cassar charged out of position to block Bjorn Dalli.

The second half started on a top note for Qormi as they scored two quick goals in the opening five minutes from dead ball actions. On 47 minutes Joseph Farrugia scored a beauty direct from a freekick and three minutes later a Carmel Formosa cross was apparently handled by Cedric Sciberras with the referee opting for the penalty, a harsh decision indeed. From the penalty spot Joseph Farrugia made no mistake.

Vittoriosa made three immediate substitutions introducing Ivan Zammit, Stephen Calleja and Keith Darmanin. Vittoriosa stormed forward and the Qormi goalkeeper Farrugia was at his best denying his opponents with three great saves. He saved an Ivan Zammit frekick, turned into a corner a Stephen Calleja dipper and blocked a Thomas close range header. Ten minutes from time Vittoriosa reduced the arrears when Timothy Thomas scored from close range a well orchestrated move.

St Patrick trounced St George’s in a low profile match to open the relegation issue. The second victory of the season for the Yellows from Zabbar, now puts them on level terms at the bottom of the table with Marsa and Mellieha.

St. George’s are surely passing through a very lean period and after dismal display in the defeat against Vittoriosa in the derby, yesterday’s performance was another opaque showing which surely does not augur well. Now St. George’s can be involved as well in the relegation battle.

The first half was a real bore to watch and the few spectators present must have regretted their decision to assist for this match. The match was played mainly in midfield with the defences always having the better over the opposing attacks. The only action worth noting in the first half was St. Patrikc’s goal scored by Matthew Scerri who headed in a Cassar freekick, with the goalkeeper stopping the ball after it passed the goal line.

The second half started with St. Patrick scoring two goals in quick succession to kill off their opponents’s residual hopes.

On 47 minutes Matthew Fleri Soler headed in a good cross from the right by Clayton Micallef, and five minutes later striker Thomas Caruana pounced on a Delia defensive blunder to dribble past the goalkeeper and score with an open goal at his mercy.

St. George’s pulled one back on the hour when ex-player Peter Anizoba headed in a Kurt Formosa from the left. However St Patrick re-established their three goal cushion seven minutes later when Simon Zerafa passed towards Haruna Doda who scored his first goal for St Patrick.

St Patrick were now in full command of the match missing some other good chances through Thomas Caruana and Simon Zerafa, whilst St. George’s went very close to another consolation goal, but substitute goalkeeper Franklin Azzopardi denied them with two brilliant saves.