Qormi consolidated the second spot in the table with a hard earned win over St George’s. The all important goal was scored by Carmel Formosa 11 minutes from time. Now Qormi eagerly await this afternoon’s clash between leaders Mosta and third placed Tarxien.

Qormi were made to sweat hard to earn this precious victory as the Saints put up a spirited display and could have easily snatched a draw with some luck.

Qormi did the early running going with shots from Joseph Farrugia and Joseph Chetcuti missing the target. On 16 minutes St George’s goalkeeper Gatt made a difficult save off a Farrugia dipper.

On 27 minutes Qormi went close again when Clyde Camoin’s shot was blocked by Gatt with the ball hitting the upright. The Saints came back strongly in the match dominating the last part of the first half. A Caruana shot missed the upright and Anizoba’s shot on the turn was well saved by Farrugia.

On 41 minutes Vince Camilleri’s freekick went inches wide and Glenn Barry’s header was cleared off the line by defender Matthew Borg. Just before the break Qormi were very unlucky when Michael Borg Olivier’s close range header hit the base of the upright.

On the hour Joseph Farrugia easily rounded a defender but his close range shot was blocked by Gatt. Five minutes later St George’s had another good chance when Anizoba crossed towards substitute Emerson Amaira whose header was cleared on the goal line by Paul Camilleri.

Qormi increased the pressure and 11 minutes from time they were rewarded when a Clyde Camoin corner was headed in by Carmel Formosa past a hesitant Gatt in the Saints’ goal.

Qormi should have sealed the issue three minutes later when Joseph Chetcuti had a splendid run but his final shot was blocked by Gatt.

In the dying minutes St George’s pushed everything forward in search of the equaliser and went very close before the final whistle when Anizoba’s close range shot was saved by the Qormi goalkeeper.

Dingli S 6

Marsa 2

Dingli easily beat Marsa for the second time in the space of five days to continue with their surge towards the higher places in the table. It was an easy task for Dingli especially after Marsa’s Achukwu was sent off seven minutes before the break.

At the start of the second half, Dingli had a three-goal burst in the first 15 minutes to put the issue beyond doubt. Anywanna, Ciappara and Agius were simply irresistible for the Marsa defenders as Dingli registered their fourth win against the Red Blues this season.

Dingli had a dream start forging ahead after only three minutes play when Anywanna beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

Dingli continued to dominate their opponents but Marsa levelled the score on 19 minutes, Jose Borg slamming the ball home from close range after a melee.

At the other end Marsa’s Warren Chircop blasted the ball high after a fine solo run by Kevin Xerri.

On 35 minutes Dingli reaped the fruit for their relentless pressure when they regained the lead with a well executed move. Anywanna set Jeremy Agius who beautifully chipped the ball over Roderick Spiteri.

Two minutes later Marsa were dealt a severe blow when Joseph Achukwu was sent off for a vicious foul on Kurt Formosa. Minutes later Dingli could have wrapped up the match but Christian Tabone’s lob sailed over the bar.

Two minutes from time Marsa obtained the equaliser when Jason Cachia floored Ivan Borg inside the area and from the resultant penalty Warren Chircop made no mistake.

Dingli were in devastating form at the start of the second period scoring three goals in the opening 15 minutes. Chris Ciappara hammered home a Jeremy Agius cross from the left on 48 minutes. Six minutes later Anywanna received from Kurt Formosa inside the area and the Nigerian beat Spiteri from an acute angle.

Anywanna obtained his hat trick on the hour when he slotted home in an empty net following a defensive lapse between goalkeeper Spiteri and defender Cassar.

The match was now won and lost Dingli missed several other chances. Marsa were unlucky when substitute Brian Zammit hit the post.

Six minutes from time Dingli scored their sixth goal through Chris Ciappara. In stoppage time Dingli’s Kurt Formosa was also given the marching orders by referee Sant.