Marsaxlokk: S. Darmanin, M. Licari, C. Mamo, W. Camenzuli (M. Barbara), B. Said, P. Pullicino, G. Sciberras, K. Sammut, S. Wellman, J. Alcorse, C. Cassar (C. Mattocks)

Qormi: M. Farrugia, R. Forace, R. Dos Santos, M. Grima, A. Debono, A. Effiong (J. Saliba), J. Farrugia (M. Borg), S. Tellus (P. Camilleri), R. Sammut, K. Fenech, J. Da Silva

Referee: J. Attard Asst.refs: C. Micallef, E. Spiteri 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: J. Da Silva, J. Alcorse

Yellow cards: B. Said

Player of the match: Massimo Grima (Qormi)

TMI top three: 1. P. Pullicino 2. M. Grima 3. R. Sammut

Julio Alcorse scored a late equaliser, three minutes into stoppage time, to earn Marsaxlokk an equaliser and deny newcomers Qormi a surprise win in their opening match of the BOV Premier League yesterday.

Qormi, playing in the Premier League for the first time in their history, had taken the lead early in the second half through their Brazilian forward Josivan Da Silva, capitalising on Marsaxlokk’s vulnerability in defence, which showed serious flaws in the first half.

But Marsaxlokk made a strong comeback, pinned their opponents inside their own half for long stretches after conceding the goal, and deservingly equalised, albeit at the death.

Qormi, who were very active on the transfer market, fielded eight new players, including three foreigners, in their starting line-up. Keeper Gauci and Nwoko, their other two new signings, were on the substitutes’ bench. Bubbling with enthusiasm and some very experienced players, Qormi, under coach Jesmond Zerafa, must perform as a team in order to achieve their set goals of a top-six finish this season.

Marsaxlokk still have the nucleus of last season’s squad, although the absence of Jamie Pace, who has moved to Valletta together with Cleaven Frendo, was sorely missed in midfield. They fielded three newcomers – Saviour Darmanin, Brian Said and Christian Cassar – but striker Pereira was suspended. Wellman partnered Alcorse in attack. Without the injured Conceicao, and Camenzuli playing alongside Said in the centre, the defence always struggled to hold out Qormi’s fast attacks. It was left to the industrious Peter Pullicino to do most of the running and ball distribution, but Marsaxlokk hardly managed to carve any real goalmouth danger during the first 45 minutes.

By contrast, Qormi looked more menacing with their more direct approach, as they played long balls forward from midfield for Effiong and Josivan Da Silva to chase.

On the quarter hour, Grima put Effiong through with a long ball but the new Qormi striker shot narrowly over with keeper Darmanin trying to block.

Qormi repeated the move on 26 minutes. Grima again played a through ball to Effiong but this time Darmanin saved well, plunging at his feet.

Marsaxlokk’s real threat came past the half hour when Wellman had his shot from a close angle from the left repelled with some difficulty by keeper Farrugia.

Five minutes from half time, Said was lucky to go unpunished when stopping Effiong’s progress from midfield. The offence deserved a caution, which would have been Said’s second of the match!

Marasaxlokk’s defence leaked water four minutes into the second half when Josivan Da Silva ran through the middle with alarming ease and after flooring keeper Darmanin, slotted the ball in to score this season’s first Premier League goal.

That sparked an immediate response from Marsaxlokk’s coach Brian Talbot, who effected a double substitution. Barbara went in for Camenzuli, with Wellman retreating in central defence. The unimpressive Cassar made way for other newcomer Claude Mattocks in midfield. In no time, the Southseasiders threw everything at Qormi who were suddenly back pedalling.

Alcorse went close with a firm header on Licari’s cross. On 71 minutes, keeper Farrugia just reached before Alcorse on Pullicino’s cross and then Barbara’s low shot went narrowly wide.

Marsaxlokk kept pressing forward as Qormi substituted Tellus and Farrugia to introduce some fresh legs.

Qormi struggled to survive their opponents’ onslaught in the final minutes. Mamo’s cross fell to Said who was robbed of the ball by keeper Farrugia, who also saved on Alcorse’s glancing header.

But three minutes into added time, Julio Alcorse stretched his foot to deflect Mattock’s deep cross into the roof of the net and earn his side a deserved equaliser.