Vittoriosa S. - Qormi 1-4

Vittoriosa S: S. Agius, M. Maccari (A. Ewurum), J. Camilleri, J. Chetcuti, C. Compagnoli, L. Edison, R. Grech, J. Xerri, J. Da Silva, S. Wellman, A. Tabone (D. Cachia)

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Vandelanoite, S. Giglio, C. Karamanolis, K. Fenech, M. Mifsud (B. Camilleri), J. Chetcuti (G. Mallia), J. Farrugia, A. Bello-Osagie (J. Souza), J. Bondin, H. Kang

Referee: M. Borg asst.refs: I. Spiteri, T. Debono 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: M. Mifsud 7, 46, A. Bello-Osagie 32, C. Compagnoli 54, J. Souza 86 pen

Yellow cards: R. Grech, J. Farrugia, K. Fenech

Player of the match: M.Mifsud (Qormi)

TMI top 3: 1. C. Compagnoli 2. J. Vandelanoite 3. L. Edison

Qormi were back in the groove after the heavy beating by Sliema Wanderers on Monday, well aware that only a win could keep them away from relegation trouble.

Yesterday’s win against bottom club Vittoriosa, came by virtue of a reshuffled side, which carved out several chances and finished them off, again exploiting their opponents’ flimsy defence, which, not for the first time this season, looked vulnerable when under pressure.

In fact Qormi left Cleaven Frendo and Jose Souza on the bench as Matthew Farrugia returned in goal after suspension.

Stefan Giglio played in front of the defence, alongside Keith Fenech, while Bondin, Karamanolis, Vandelanoite and Kang composed the back four.

Vittoriosa Stars also had Simon Agius returning in goal after injury but Pierre Aquilina was unavailable and Clayton Sammut was exiled to the bench. Jonathan Xerri was given a start after a long absence. Although showing the inclination to go forward, especially through the driving energy of Carlos Compagnoli and the illusive movement in attack of Luis Edison, as well as the delivery of Alan Tabone, Vittoriosa left huge gaps at the back and they were brutally punished as salvation now looks a forlorn hope.

The match kicked off under pouring rain which made the playing surface very slippery. An early goal put Qormi could scarcely have made a more promising and productive start. They scored after only seven minutes as Michael Mifsud beat the keeper with a glancing header from close range from a Joseph Farrugia corner.

Vittoriosa looked unsettled and took long to come to grips. An Edison effort slipped from keeper Farrugia’s grip into a corner and another Edison shot took an awkward bounce and seemed to have surprised the keeper but Vandelanoite cleared the danger.

A Compagnoli low drive was turned into a corner by keeper Farrugia before Qormi struck a second goal, catching the Vittoriosa defence on the hop past the half hour. Kang served Bello-Osagie on the left as he advanced and beat keeper Agius with a low drive at the near post.

Facing an uphill task, Vittoriosa put in Ewurum for Maccari on 37 minutes but before the half was over they only threatened with a Xerri header that went over on a Compagnoli free kick.

Qormi went close with a Joseph Farrugia rising shot from the right which keeper Agius fisted out.

Vittoriosa collapsed to concede a sloppy third goal within one minute of the restart that killed all their hopes. Michael Mifsud went round Compagnoli and as he shot at goal, the keeper slipped and the ball went in.

To their credit, Vittoriosa kept fighting gamely. Keeper Farrugia held out a Compagnoli shot and on 54 minutes they scored a much deserved goal. Carlos Compagnoli stooped low to head in a Tabone corner from the right.

Hardly four minutes later, Edison thumped his shot against the bar. That heralded Vittoriosa’s best spell in the match but then another period of Qormi dominance ensued, even after they were forced to substitute the injured Bello-Osagie on the hour.

Mifsud was clear but keeper Agius rushed off his line to smother the danger and even recovered on Souza’s shot.

Souza, who had gone in for Bello-Osagie, had an effort going inches wide on 70 minutes.

Vittoriosa tried to put up a late effort. Tabone chested Silva’s cross but shot wide and then Compagnoli went close with his overhead kick on a Tabone free kick.

Qormi still looked menacing though. Giglio’s shot was deflected by the keeper against the upright before Vittoriosa conceded a late penalty, three minutes from time when Ryan Grech felled Souza inside the area. The same Qormi player tucked it away to complete the formalities.