Qormi 2

Mqabba 1

Qormi regained the leadership of the Relegation Pool after a hard fought victory against plucky Mqabba with two goals in the second half after Mqabba had led for over an hour.

After defeating Mosta and Marsaxlokk in their last two outings, Mqabba were aiming for another positive result which would put them closer to safety. Coach Clive Mizzi welcomed back Marko Potezica and John Nwoba but defender Julian Briffa was ruled out as he served a one-match ban.

Qormi lost two of the three Relegation Pool matches and were coming from a defeat to rivals Hamrun in their last outing. They started the Relegation Pool on top but after playing three matches, just three points separated them from the team lying second from bottom before this match. Coach Stephen Azzopardi could not count on Dino Cachia and Federico Mirarchi were still nursing injuries.

Qormi almost took the lead from the kick off when Thackray lobbed from halfway out with Calleja tipping over for a corner. But it was Mqabba who took the lead on three minutes after a pass by Bonnici found Nwoba who smashed home from close range. Pereira had a free kick as a reply for Qormi which went just wide on seven minutes.

The next action came on 35 minutes when Potezcika released Mamic whose low shot just missed the post. On 39 minutes, a corner by Farrugia found Pereira da Silva whose header hit the upright.

The second half began with both teams sharing possession on a more or less equal basis with Qormi appearing slightly more dangerous. Qormi came desperately close to equalising on 59 minutes when a Joseph Farrugia free kick was brilliantly saved by Calleja.

Four minutes later Qormi equalised. A curling free kick by Pereira found Joseph Farrugia who headed home from close range leaving Calleja with no chance.

On 65 minutes, Farrugia found Bello Osagie whose header slammed against the crossbar with Qormi threatening to take control of the encounter.

And on 77 minutes, Qormi turned the tables on Mqabba by taking the lead. A fine free kick by Da Silva Pereira found Thackray who headed home past a hapless Calleja to the delight of the sizeable Canary contingent.

The three points enabled them to overtake Hamrun S. once again, moving on to 21 points, six above second from bottom Tarxien Rainbows.

Qormi FC: M Farrugia, R Sammut (K Scicluna 31’), M Bartolo, J Chetcuti (L Sciberras), J Farrugia, J Bondin, J Da Silva Pereira (S Wellman 90’), K Thackray, T Caruana, A Bello-Osagie, V Adioumani Kouadio

Mqabba FC: K Calleja, P Grima, M Potezika, B Timotic, M A Psaila, C Calleja (JP Muscat 88’), M Bonnici, D Fenech, R Duca, J Nwoba, B Mamic ( Mazzitelli 79’)

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Scorers: Nwoba 3’, Da Silva Pereira 63’, Thackray 78’

Yellow cards: Grima, Nwoba, M A Psaila, Fenech

BOV Player of the Match: Pereira da Silva (Qormi)

TMI Top Three: 1. Pereira, 2. Farrugia, 3. Nwoba