Two goals scored in injury time, sent Marsaxlokk with the top six in the Premier league, and Qormi with the last four. In a tense and exciting match Marsaxlokk and Qormi drew 2-2, a result that rewards Patrick Curmi’s boys who were the better side on the day.

Qormi took a first half lead through Jonathan Bondin, but were unable to hold on to their lead as they opted to defend in the second half, when Marsaxlokk increased thepressure. The penalty incident and the sending off of the Qormi goalkeeper were surely the turning point of this match. From then onwards Marsaxlokk controlled with relative ease but failed to take the lead, a lead that would have killed all Qormi’s hopes.

Qormi went ahead in injury time, but sixty seconds later Marsaxlokk obtained a dramatic equaliser for an incredible finish. Peter Pullicino was outstanding for Marsaxlokk whilst Michael Mifsud had a very disappointing afternoon for Qormi.

Qormi started like a house on fire but the Marsaxlokk defensive set up was very efficient, with striker Michael Mifsud never getting a glimpse of the ball in the first half.

Marsaxlokk controlled this fury with some hard work from Eboh, Templemann, and Raimy in front of the back four, which were Licari, Lodetti, Mamo and Yanchev. The elegant Peter Pullicino was doing some very good work on the left flank, and on eleven minutes Marsaxlokk had their best chance of the first half.

Ryan Darmanin gave an inch perfect pass towards Alfred Effiong, but the striker should have done better than shooting straight on the onrushing goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia. Qormi hit back with a Bello-Osagie cross shot that was well blocked by the Marsaxlokk custodian.

On 22 minutes Qormi took the lead, when a Jonathan Bondin cross shot from well over 35 meters, completely deceived goalkeeper Reuben Gauci with the ball finishing at the back of the net.

Five minutes later Qormi went close again with a Joseph Farrugia freekick slightly off target. Ten minutes from the break a Ryan Darmanin shot from the edge of the area was completely off target and just before the break a Bello-Osagie header went wide.

On the resumption Marsaxlokk went very close, but Ryan Darmanin failed to connect in front of goal to an inviting Lodetti cross from the right. Marsaxlokk kept playing the better football, but Qormi went close on 65 minutes when substitute Matthew Bartolo was denied by a great Reuben Gauci save.

A minute later Alfred Effiong beat the Qormi defensive set up only to be tripped inside the box by Qormi goalkeeper Farrugia. Referee Azzopardi awarded the penalty and sent off the Qormi custodian. From the resultant penalty substitute Gravata made no mistake.

Marsaxlokk were now in full control with numerical advantage, but they failed to give Qormi the killer blow. Play was now mainly in midfield with Qormi unable to find a way towards the Marsaxlokk rearguard.

Five minutes from time Qormi were very unlucky when a Stefan Giglio scorcher slammed against the crossbar. Deep in stoppage time Qormi took the lead, when Joseph Farrugia was left completely unmarked inside the box and his shot on the turn gave Gauci no chance to save.

Qormi were still celebrating when Marsxalokk romped in Alcorse in a desperate effort, and this move proved to be decisive. Marsaxlokk won a freekick in midfield, the ball came towards Peter Pullicino whose lob hit the crossbar and from the rebound Julio Alcorse fired home to put marsaxlokk in the championship pool and condemn Qormi to the relegation pool with Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, and Vittoriosa Stars.

Qormi M. Farrugia, J. Vandelannoite, S. Giglio, C. Karamanolis, K. Fenech (J. Chetcuti 78 min), M. Mifsud, J. Farrugia, A. Bello-Osagie, G. Mallia (M. Bartolo 61 min), J. Bondin, J. Souza Santos (M. Camilleri 66 min).

Coach S. Azzopardi

Marsaxlokk R. Gauci, L. Lodetti (R. Gravata 60 min), E. Yanchev, C. Mamo, M.Licari, S. Eboh, P. Pullicino, T. Templeman, F. Raimy (J. Alcorse 92 min), R. Darmanin, A. Effiong.

Coach P. Curmi

Referee A. Azzopardi

Ass. Referees J. Camilleri, M. Debono

4th official P. Caruana

Scorers J. Bondin 22 min, R. Gravat 68 min (pen), J. Farrugia 92 min, J. Alcorse 93

Yellow cards M. Licari, L. Lodetti, A. Bello-Osagie, S. Eboh, K. Fenech, J. Alcorse, J. Farrugia

Red card M. Farrugia 66 min

Player of the match P. Pullicino

TMI best three 1. P. Pullicino, 2. A. Effiong 3. J. Farrugia