Marsaxlokk 1

Qormi 5

Qormi: M. Farrugia, R. Sammut, M. Bartolo, J. Chetcuti, J. Farrugia (R. Buhagiar), K. Scicluna, J. Pereira, K. Thackray, T. Caruana (C. Farrugia), A. Bello-Osagie, V. Kouadio (G. Chircop)

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar, S. Borg, J. Brincat, C. Brincat (P. Borg), T. Templeman, L. Agius, M. Valeriani (C. Debattista), D. Attard, G. Caruana, J.P. Farrugia, A. Pedrozo (D. Grech)

Referee: A. Arciola

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, D. Sultana

4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: A. Bello-Osagie 4 pen, 90, J. Pereira 7, 24, 40, J. P. Farrugia 66

Player of the match: Jorge Pereira (Qormi)

TMI top 3: 1.J. Pereira 2. A. Bello-Osagie 3. J.P. Farrugia

Attendance: 1,052

Time is running out for Marsaxlokk, who by virtue of this fifth consecutive defeat and the deduction of three points, are adrift now, marooned 12 points behind any measure of safety from relegation with only four matches remaining.

Against Qormi yesterday, Marsaxlokk were missing the services of the injured Peter Oladutun and Sunday Eboh, as well as the suspended Jonathan Xerri. They looked second best in all sectors and were on the back foot by the time they conceded the first goal after only four minutes.

Qormi were back in the groove after their reverse against Mosta last week and made sure they avoided a repeat of the upset suffered against the Southseasiders in the previous round.

The return of captain Joseph Farrugia and forward Bello-Osagie, consolidated Stephen Azzopardi’s side, who never looked in danger of dropping any points against inferior and demotivated opponents.

With the driving energy of Jorge Pereira and the illusive movement of Bello-Osagie in attack, Qormi always had the ascendancy. The two players scored all five goals between them.

In fact, Qormi scored four times at regular intervals during the first half, ironically after Marsaxlokk had fluffed the best chance with three minutes on the clock. Valeriani played a low cross from the left but Jean Paul Farrugia, totally unmarked, missed the target.

Marsaxlokk were made to pay for that miss. One minute later Bello-Osagie, in full flight inside the area, fell when he came into contact with Clive Brincat’s extended arm to earn a penalty. The same Qormi player converted from the spot to give his side the lead.

Three minutes later, Qormi scored again and Bello-Osagie was involved with his through pass to Jorge Pereira who accelerated inside the Marsaxlokk area before beating keeper Cassar with a low strike.

Firmly in control, Qormi increased their lead midway through the half. Bello-Osagie ran down the left, crossed low and Chetcuti let the ball roll freely to the unmolested Jorge Pereira who beat Cassar again with a low left foot drive.

Pereira completed his hat trick on 40 minutes as he beat the Marsaxlokk keeper again with a curling low free kick from outside the area.

Before the break, Marsaxlokk were forced to substitute the injured Clive Brincat who was escorted to hospital at half time.

Qormi made a double substitution at the start of the second half, putting in Carmelo Farrugia and George Chircop for Caruana and Kouadio.

Marsaxlokk started to venture more frequently into enemy territory and towards the hour they showed up with a Pedrozo shot on the turn, on an Agius pass, that narrowly missed the target.

And on 66 minutes they pulled a goal back. Jean Paul Farrugia atoned for the early miss when he took the ball into his stride and beat keeper Matthew Farrugia with a low shot.

But Qormi remained potent going forward although they looked erratic in their final shot and Chircop and Pereira both squandered chances as they failed to find the target.

On 74 minutes, the Marsaxlokk shot stopper repelled Chetcuti’s long range shot.

With the points already secured, Qormi scored their fifth on the stroke of full time. Bello-Osagie played one-two with Pereira inside the Marsaxlokk area before planting the ball low past the helpless keeper Cassar.

But that hardly made any difference in front of a near silent backdrop at Ta’ Qali.