Qormi-Naxxar L. 5-1

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Bondin, R. Sammut (E. Vella), G. Gianola, D. Pisani, T. Caruana, G. Da Silva (D. Pirotta), S. Quinteri, L. Grech, J. Pereira da Silva (L. Cantoro), A. Effiong.

Naxxar L. J. Azzopardi, A. Buhagiar, RG Cassar, G: Da Silva Ribeiro, A. Decesare, D. Falzon, T. Lopes de Souza, DA Reano (M. Vignjevic), A. Rocha da Silva, T. Scerri, F. Stojanovic.

Referee: AM Sant.

Asst refs: A. Camilleri, L. Portelli.

4th official: C. Lautier.

Scorers: Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Jorge Pereira da Silva 2, Alfred Effiong 3,

Yellow cards: A. Rocha da Silva, G. Da Silva, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, S. Quinteri, T. Caruana, G. Gianola

Red cards: A. Decesare

Player of the match: A. Effiong

TMI Top 3: 1. A. Effiong, 2. J. Pereira da Silva, 3. F. Stojanovic

Attendance: 554

Four second half goals enabled Qormi to beat a 10-man Naxxar side to move to 14 points in the standings, just one point behind the same Naxxar.

By the end of the first half, no one imagined that the match would go Qormi’s way. Till then it was still 1-1 and play was more or less balanced. But three goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, paved the way for Qormi’s big win.

Judging on the second half performance, Qormi must feel confident of keeping their surge up the table and therefore managing to avoid the Big Drop.

They certainly must thank Alfred Effiong for this emphatic win. He was justifiably named Man of the Match after mesmerising the Naxxar defence in the second half, scoring a fine hat-trick in the process.

On their part, Naxxar’s confidence is at a low ebb as this loss of form after such a splendid first phase is resulting in a slide which will possibly get them in trouble soon. It was their sixth defeat from seven matches.

Qormi had Owen Bugeja still missing through injury, while goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia returned to the side after missing the last two games.

Naxxar were missing the suspended Bakare while veteran Victor Bellia was also missing though included among the substitutes.

The first half lacked any interest apart from the two goals. Play was mainly restricted to midfield and actions in front of goal were scarce, so much so that the two goalkeepers were never really tested.

A lot of midfield play ensued but the two defences were well on top with Sammut and Caruana dominant for Qormi and Lopes de Souza and Reano solid at the back for Naxxar.

 In the second half, Qormi took the initiative and after taking the lead, they never looked back as Alfred Effiong apparently enjoyed himself giving a lot of satisfaction to his team-mates and fans.

Naxxar never found the energy to react and Qormi continued piling up the goals as they exercised territorial superiority, especially after Decesare was sent off leaving the Lions in 10 men.

The first action worthy of note arrived on the eighth minute when Stojanovic set Da Silva Ribeiro in midfield. The latter advanced only to see his low shot from the edge of the area saved by Farrugia in the Qormi goal.

At the other end, in the 11th minute, a Jorge Pereira da Silva dangerous cross was neutralised by goalie Azzopardi.

Naxxar eventually took the lead with a splendid goal on the 21st minute. It was Decesare who advanced on the left flank to cross for Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro to place his perfect header past the helpless Farrugia.

Naxxar protested in vain for a penalty when Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro set Rocha da Silva in the Qormi area and goalie Farrugia dived at his feet. Referee Alan Mario Sant saw nothing untoward and allowed play to go on.

Qormi levelled matters in the 36th minute. They were awarded a freekick in three quarters pitch. Jorge Pereira da Silva took the shot which completely beat Azzopardi in the Naxxar goal.

In the 47th minute, a dangerous cross-shot from Leighton Grech had Azzopardi in some difficulty but he managed to turn to a corner.

Qormi insisted and eventually took the lead in the 57th minute when Andre Rocha da Silva, in an effort to clear, hit the ball badly, paving the way for Alfred Effiong to advance a few metres before beating Azzopardi with a low shot.

The Yellow Blacks remained the best team and it was no surprise that it became 3-1 in the 62nd minute. And it was again Effiong who won the ball outside the area, beat two defenders before hitting another low shot past Azzopardi.

In the 65th minute, it was 4-1. In a fast counter-attack, Jorge Pereira da Silva and Effiong combined beautifully before Effiong provided the final pass to da Silva to score with ease.

In the 67th minute, Naxxar’s task became even more difficult when they had Decesare sent off for a second booking.

In the 82nd minute, the splendid Effiong again advanced on the left flank, entered the area and beat Azzopardi with a good lob to achieve his hat-trick.

No wonder he was named Man of the Match after such a splendid show!