Rabat A.-Qormi 0-3

Rabat A: P. Velimirovic, S. Gauci, D. Azzopardi, P. Borg , I. Carapic, J. Caruana (D. Falzon), W. Borg (J. Bajada), S. Oproiescu, M. Licari, R. Micallef, C. Vella (D. Pendas)

Qormi: S. Sultana, D. Pisani, J. Bondin, R. Sammut, E. Vella, J. Gabriel (K. Sciortino), T. Caruana, S. Quintieri, J. Silva (G. Gianolo), L. Cantoro (L. Grech), A. Effiong

Referee: G. Tonna

Asst.refs: C. Francalanza, J. Spiteri

4th official: S. Spiteri

Scorers: E. Vella 15, J. Gabriel 75, A. Effiong 80

Yellow cards: J. Caruana, J. Bondin, J. Gabriel, I. Carapic

Player of the match: J. Gabriel (Qormi)

TMI top three: 1. J. Gabriel  2. T. Caruana  3. W. Borg

Attendance: 580

Qormi spirits have been raised following this win in the battle of the basement. They lift themselves one point above Vittoriosa Stars in third place of the Relegation Pool, and two above Tarxien Rainbows who have a game in hand.

Rabat meanwhile remain marooned at the bottom as relegation now looks a forlorn conclusion.

Qormi, who lost against Floriana at the weekend, dropped Roderick Bajada and Leighton Grech, replaced by the returning Roderick Sammut and Simone Quintieri. Defender Giorgio Gianola, eligible after suspension, was named among the substitutes.

Rabat coach Steve D’Amato kept faith in most of the fringe players who performed in the draw against Naxxar Lions, with Wayne Borg, Patrick Borg and Chris Vella included in the starting line-up. Surprisingly, Diego Pendas, Dylan Falzon and Jonathan Bajada did not start the match but were all drafted in as substitutes.

Qormi forged ahead on the quarter hour. Defender Emerson Vella opened his account for his club as he connected to Effiong’s square pass and beat keeper Velimirovic with a rising shot from the left. It was the first goal between the two sides this season, after the previous two goalless draws.

Rabat produced the response. Vella’s shot from a distance was fumbled by Qormi keeper Sultana who saved in two attempts.

On 35 minutes Wayne Borg played a forward pass to Micallef who was anticipated by keeper Sultana. In between, Effiong tested keeper Velimirovic with a powerful shot.

Rabat introduced Pendas for Vella in the second half and threatened on the hour with a Wayne Borg shot going narrowly over.

On 63 minutes Qormi put in Leighton Grech. The incisive winger was involved in his side’s best chance in this second period as he ran down the right, dispatched a low cross which the Rabat keeper palmed out, the ball rolled to Jorge Silva whose goal-bound effort was deflected into a corner by Gauci.

But it was already game over on 75 minutes as Qormi doubled their lead from a dead ball situation. Triston Caruana sent a floating free kick from the left, keeper Velimirovic held out Joao Gabriel’s glancing header but the same player shot the ball in from a tight angle.

Rabat were completely dismantled with Qormi’s third goal ten minutes from time. Alfred Effiong took the ball in his stride, swivelled past three opponents and beat the goalkeeper with a low drive.

Qormi ended on a high. Triston Caruana’s shot at the top corner was smartly saved by Velimirovic and Effiong also clipped the bar as miserable Rabat remained only bystanders.