Qormi: M. Farrugia, R. Dos Santos, M. Grima, K. Fenech, A. Effiong (S. Meilak), J. Chetcuti (R. Deguara), R. Sammut, C. Sanvezzo (M. Buttigieg), J. Bondin, S. Pace

Sliema W: S. Agius, A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi, J. Mifsud, R. Fenech, N. Turner (C. Gatt Baldacchino), J.P. Mifsud Triganza, M. Ciantar (J. Mintoff), L. Dronca, I. Ciantar, C. Failla (M. Bartolo)

Referee: M. Borg Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: C. Sanvezzo

Yellow cards: I. Ciantar, C. Sanvezzo, M. Grima, A. Muscat

Player of the match: Camillo Sanvezzo (Qormi)

TMI top three: 1. R. Dos Santos 2. S. Agius 3. C. Sanvezzo

Qormi caused a major upset when beating Sliema Wanderers, courtesy of a well taken debut goal by their latest recruit, Brazilian forward Camillo Sanvezzo, 20 minutes from the end.

The nippy striker combined skill and speed to perforate the Wanderers' rearguard after keeper Simon Agius had frustrated them time and again in the first half.

That was Sliema's low point in a match that always looked difficult for them as Qormi's triumph looked inevitable.

After having their win against Vittoriosa Stars nullified earlier in the week, the Wanderers are still pointless, despite high expectations before the season's start. Sliema were bereft of the services of the injured Ivan Woods in attack and coach Azzopardi dropped Matthew Bartolo, giving starts to Noel Turner and Miguel Ciantar.

But the Wanderers always looked out of sorts against more lively opponents who could have clinched their win well before halftime.

In fact Qormi fully deserved their victory overall. Qormi made three changes from their draw against Floriana in the opening match. Ryan Deguara, Wellman and Spiteri were replaced by Rodrick Sammut, Jonathan Bondin and their latest signing Camillo.

Qormi should have been two or three up by the first half hour, as Sliema's square defence was often beaten by the incursions of Effiong and Camillo, combining well in attack. Camillo's lob over the onrushing keeper, after beating Sliema's offside trap, went off target.

On 26 minutes, Effiong was caught between two minds when going through on Fenech's pass and the Sliema defence could clear. Two minutes later, again put clear by Chetcuti, the Nigerian striker had his effort blocked by keeper Agius into a corner.

In the opening minutes, Qormi had also hit the bar through a Grima arrow-like free kick, slightly tipped over by the Sliema keeper. And on the stroke of halftime, Camillo's pacey run on the left beat Ian Ciantar. His goalbound effort was superbly saved by the outstretched Agius.

Sliema also threatened on a couple of occasions when Miguel Ciantar shot over the bar from inside the area and on 20 minutes Failla's powerful rising shot was tipped over the bar by Qormi keeper Farrugia.

The football in the second half became more cagey. With Qormi taking a more laid-back approach, Sliema tried to hold the initiative but could hardly find a way past the organised Qormi defence.

It was well past the hour when keeper Agius had to rush out to block at Effiong's feet. On the other end, Miguel Ciantar headed wide in font of goal shortly before being substituted.

With 20 minutes remaining, it was still anybody's game. On 70 minutes, Qormi made the breakthrough. Grima played a through ball to Camillo who outpaced Mifsud to beat keeper Agius with a low drive. Galvanised by that lead and encouraged by their vociferous supporters, Qormi kept pressing.

Effiong and Camillo failed to conclude their triangular move and Grima's shot was squeezed into a corner. Sliema tried to regroup and put in Bartolo for the ineffective Failla but that hardly changed anything from their tactical plan. Qormi, though, had to survive Sliema's onslaught in the final minutes.

Muscat's shot took a wicked deflection into a corner and from the resultant flag kick, Azzopardi's header was saved by keeper Farrugia.

Azzopardi lofted the ball inside the crowded Qormi area before an insidious cross shot by substitute Gatt Baldacchino from the right was smartly tipped over the bar by the Qormi custodian.

In a thrilling finale, Qormi went close to increasing their lead but Fenech was foiled by keeper Agius until the final whistle, a good five minutes after normal time, assured Qormi of victory.