Marsaxlokk 1
Qormi 0
A Gary Caruana scorcher on 60 minutes produced the first shock of the Second Phase yesterday evening as bottom placed Marsaxlokk went on to obtain an unlikely three points from their clash against Relegation Pool leaders Qormi.
The victory gives hope to the southern seasiders who have now moved to the nine point mark, though remaining at the bottom of the table.
With Qormi remaining on 15 points, the Pool has become more interesting. Now there is only a gap of six points that separates first and bottom team.
The two teams had one player suspended – Roderick Sammut for Qormi and Trevor Templeman for Marsaxlokk.
In the first half, with the wind at their backs, Qormi enjoyed the lion’s share of the attacks, but Marsaxlokk defended well and with purpose and never appeared in danger.
The yellow blacks exercised territorial superiority as Marsaxlokk, facing the strong wind, found it difficult to move upfield.
However, Oladatun and Stoskovic both had some good individual moments, but Qormi never appeared to be in great trouble at the back.
In the second half, Marsaxlokk, as expected, improved beyond recognition and managed to share the exchanges.
Qormi still attacked more but they lacked ideas. At the end, they had to bow their heads to the wooden spoonists whose last victory was against Hamrun on 5 November 2010.
The strong wind was playing havoc and neither team managed to create a good opening but in the 10th minute, Triston Caruana tried his luck from outside the area, but his volley went over.
Qormi had a good chance to open the scoring on the 22nd minute when Wellman set Pereira beautifully, but the latter controlled the ball badly and goalie Cassar had no difficulty to save.
On the 34th minute, it was again Qormi who had another opportunity. From a Pereira cross, the ball was cleared out to Wellman, but the latter’s shot was weak and easily saved by Cassar.
Four minutes later, it was Farrugia who tried his luck from outside the area, but his effort went over.
Marsaxlokk’s first chance arrived three minutes from the interval – a fine effort from Oladatun which went just over Farrugia’s post.
In added time, it was Farrugia who pinpointed a perfect freekick towards Adoumani, but the latter’s header was well saved by the diving Cassar.
Soon after the changeover, Qormi protested in vain for a penalty when a cross by Pereira seemed to have been handled by Patrick Borg in the area. But the official, close to the action, waved play on.
Soon after, at the other end, Marsaxlokk almost scored when off a Stoskovic freekick, Pedrozo’s header forced Qormi goalie Farrugia into an excellent save, turning the ball to a corner with difficulty.
On 58 minutes, Qormi’s Farrugia had a freekick saved by Cassar, but soon after, it was Marsaxlokk who took the lead with a splendid goal. It was Pedrozo who advanced on the left to square the ball to Gary Caruana who fired home a fine volley from about 20 metres.
Qormi’s frustration increased as the minutes ticked away and in the 70th minute, the official deemed it fit to send Qormi president Redino Apap off the pitch after some protests from the Qormi bench.
Qormi threatened on 76 minutes through a Chetcuti cross on which Bondin failed to make contact in front of goal.
With seven minutes to go, it was Patrick Borg who saved the day for Marsaxlokk as he anticipated Pereira before the latter could fire home from close in.
In the final minutes, Qormi pressed hard for an equaliser, but Marsaxlokk were well organised at the back and managed to hold on till the end.
Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar, M. Valeriani, P. Borg, L. Agius, J. Brincat, M. Stoskovic (S. Cutajar), S. Eboh, JP Farrugia, G. Caruana, PT Oladatun, A. Pedrozo (C. Brincat).
Qormi: M. Farrugia, M. Bartolo, J. Farrugia, L. Sciberras (R. Buhagiar), K. Scicluna, F. Mirarchi (J. Chetcuti), J. Bondin, J. da Silva Pereira, T. Caruana, S. Wellman (G. Chircop), V. Adioumani Kouadio.
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, A. Grech.
4th official: AM Sant.
Scorer: G. Caruana 60,
Yellow cards: K. Scicluna, M. Stoskovic, V. Kouadio, J. Farrugia, C. Brincat
Player of the match: G. Caruana.
TMI Top 3: 1. N. Stoskovic, 2. PT Oladatun, 3. J. Farrugia