Qormi 2
Melita 0
Qormi: M. Farrugia, K. Thackray, R. Sammut, A. Effiong (A. Cassar), J. Chetcuti (C. Cassar), M. Avila Perez, L. Sciberras, E. Bilboa Zarate, D. Pisani, S. Wellman, L. Grech (M. Bartolo).
Melita: G. Gabilondo Garcia, MR Sierra Camacho, K. Vella Petroni (L. Sammut), G. Gribbon, I. Tufedgzic, J. Galea, M. Valenzia (A. Borg Olivier), M. Martin (JP Attard), L. Micallef, N. Rizzo, D. Cabanillas Ayllon.
Referee: M. Apap
Asst refs: W. Debattista, E. Spiteri
4th official: C. Pisani
Scorers: M. Avila Perez, E. Bilboa Zarate,
Yellow cards: K. Vella Petroni, M. Martin,
Red cards:
Player of the match: E. Bilboa Zarate.
TMI Top 3: 1. E.Bilboa Zarate; 2. M. Avila Perez, 3. I. Tufedgzic
Henry Brincat
Qormi were back on the winning trail yesterday as they beat Melita thanks to two late first half goals through Avila Perez and Zarate.
The three points enabled Jesmond Zerafa’s side to take command of the Relegation Pool ahead of Balzan’s match against Floriana tomorrow.
Following this win, Qormi now already seem to be in a very comfortable position easing their relegation worries considerably.
In the first half, Qormi dictated play from the start and richly deserved their 2-0 lead even if they had to wait till the final five minutes to score those two goals.
The Yellow Blacks exercised territorial superiority but Melita goalie Gabilondo Garcia kept them at bay with a few good saves before they eventually broke the deadlock.
Melia appeared to be defending in an organised manner before they suffered the goals, but rarely or never were they given a chance to have a pot at goal.
So much so, that Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia was never called into action – he never had a decent shot directed at him.
In the second half, Melita hit back strongly and showed more determination as they fought hard to get back into contention.
But goalie Farrugia was well up to the task and with most of the Amateurs’ efforts going wide, Qormi could hold on to their lead without exerting themselves too much.
Early on, Qormi were denied a goal by goalie Gabilondo Garcia who saved a header by Avila Perez off a Chetcuti corner.
On 18 minutes, Effiong threatened the Melita defence again after being set by Zarate, but Martin blocked his effort after he had just entered the area.
A lot of midfield play ensued with Qormi enjoying territorial advantage, but they rarely appeared dangerous.
But on the 34th minute, it was the Melita goalie again who denied them the lead with a good save on a shot by Moises Avila Perez.
Soon after, at the other end, a Julian Galea low cross in the Qormi small box found no takers.
On the 37th minute, following a good cross by Grech, Effiong had a first time shot blocked by a Melita defender.
Qormi opened the scoring on the 40th minute when off a Stephen Wellman freekick, a melee ensued in the Melita area and Moises Avila Perez found the net at the far corner.
Qormi doubled their lead three minutes later when Zarate made the most of a lapse by the Melita defence, advanced into the area to beat Gabilondo Garcia with a low shot.
Immediately afterwards, a Cabanillas effort for Melita was blocked to corner.
At the start of the second half, Melita appeared to be making a rally and on 48 minutes, Farrugia was called into action saving a grounder by Cabanillas.
On 57 minutes, it was Ivan Tufedgzic who tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his effort went over the post.
On the 64th minute, it was Sierra Camacho who tested Farrugia, but the Qormi goalie flew sideways to turn to corner in style.
Cabanillas should have pulled one back for Melita on 75 minutes, but he shot wide from five metres.
Qormi also missed a sitter three minutes later. From a Bartolo cross, goalie Gabilondo punched the ball out, but Avila Perez, all alone, hit sideways.
Soon after, Melita had the goal in the Qormi net through Cabanillas, but the point was disallowed for an offside.
In added time, Melita were again denied at least a consolation goal as Tufedgzic had his close range effort saved by Farrugia.