Cleaven Frendo scored a spectacular early goal that ended Qormi’s six-match winless streak and broke his side’s goal drought of the previous four matches.

This narrow win against Marsaxlokk, is an injection of life into their season. Until then it had been ebbing away. Qormi have now lifted themselves above Sliema Wanderers in the standings but to advance higher, there must be some killer instinct.

Yesterday, they looked more composed, defending with five men in the second half, but the absence of the injured Bello Osagie appeared to leave them severely short of creative options and some clever approach play was wasted on too many occasions.

Marsaxlokk’s build-up play deserved something better but their final pass and finishing left much to be desired. For all their territorial superiority in the second half, they were left empty handed.

Eboh started the match in central defence as Gareth Sciberras moved up in midfield instead of Pullicino.

After five minutes, Alcorse, who was preferred to Kokavessis in the Marsaxlokk attack, went clear inside the Qormi area on a Templeman pass but keeper Matthew Farrugia stretched himself to save.

Spared that early scare, Qormi went ahead three minutes later. Cleaven Frendo, allowed space outside the Marsaxlokk area on the left, unleashed a powerful shot with the ball hitting the innerside of the upright before ending behind the helpless keeper Gauci.

To their credit, Marsaxlokk were not demorilised. Towards the quarter hour, Effiong chested Licari’s cross but his shot on the turn went over the bar.

Qormi, who had been sharper on the ball inside their own half, tried to hit on the break. Chetcuti played a good ball forward towards the advancing Frendo but the Marsaxlokk defence blocked into a corner.

Towards the half hour, keeper Gauci had to rush off his line to reach before Bjedov, when well served by Giglio.

But Marsaxlokk took the bit between their teeth for the last quarter hour of the half and threatened with the overlapping runs of Mamo down the left as well as the interchanging of Guerreiro and Deanov on the flanks.

On 34 minutes Guerreiro advanced from the right, his low drive beat the goalkeeper but Bondin cleared off the line.

Qormi made a tactical change for the second half, pulling out Bjedov and putting in Roderick Sammut in a five-man defence, with Chetcuti as the main striker.

Marsaxlokk were quick to push Sciberras more forward and pinned Qormi inside their own half. Templeman’s low shot was saved into a corner with some difficulty by keeper Farrugia. Alcorse headed Mamo’s cross over and Deanov shot horrendously off target when put clear by Licari.

With Marsaxlokk pushing constantly forward, Qormi tried to exploit gaps in their rearguard. Twice they could have wrapped up the match past the hour. First Bartolo played a through ball to Frendo who shot straight on the onrushing keeper and then, on 75 minutes, the roles were reversed as Frendo put Bartolo through but was chased by Eboh who blocked his final shot into a corner.

Earlier, Marsaxlokk had put in Yanchev and advanced Galabov in midfield. A series of passes, involving Sciberras, Effiong and Galabov had Deanov’s shot deflected into a corner.

As they began belatedly to mount some sustained pressure, Marsaxlokk could not find a way past the watertight Qormi defence. Licari headed tamely a Mamo cross before, deep into three minutes of added time, Galabov’s goal bound effort at the top corner was held out by a top-rate save from keeper Farrugia to preserve Qormi’s win.

Marsaxlokk R. Gauci, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, S. Eboh, M. Deanov, M. Licari, J. Alcorse, A. Effiong, R. Galabov, T. Templeman (G. Caruana), R. Guerreiro (E. Yanchev)

Coach P. Curmi

Qormi M. Farrugia, C. Frendo, J. Vandelanoite, M. Bartolo (G. Mallia), K. Fenech (M. Borg Olivier), K. Bjedov (R. Sammut), J. Bondin, J. Chetcuti, S. Giglio, J. Farrugia, H. Kang

Coach S. Azzopardi

Referee T. Farrugia Can

Asst.refs I. Spiteri, C. Francalanza

4th official K. Azzopardi

Scorers C. Frendo 8,

Yellow cards R. Galabov, J. Chetcuti, J. Vandelanoite, M. Borg Olivier

Player of the match J. Vandelanoite (Qormi)

TMI top 3 1. C. Mamo 3. J. Vandelanoite 3. M. Bartolo