Mqabba dent Qormi's promotion hopes

Mqabba 3
Qormi 2

Mqabba made a significant step towards securing promotion to the Premier League after edging Qormi by the odd goal in five yesterday.

Joe Falzon's side are now four points clear of Hamrun at the top of Division One, although the Spartans will cut the gap back to one point if they beat Mosta today.

For their part, Qormi's promotion hopes suffered a severe setback after their defeat in what was arguably the best Division One match of the season.

The first half was a balanced affair with the motivated Qormi creating the better scoring opportunities.

After only five minutes, a Johann Zammit drive from the edge of the area sailed high. Three minutes later, Edward Azzopardi fired a shot from outside the area but his effort was kept out by Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja. Qormi continued to run the show and in the 13th minute, a Thomas Paris first-time effort was saved by Calleja.

Mqabba just couldn't get going. On 16 minutes, Calleja did well to tip Michael Borg Olivier's delicate lob over the crossbar.

Gradually, Mqabba came more into the match but despite enjoying more possession than Qormi, they were rarely dangerous in front of goal.

Qormi forged ahead four minutes before half-time. Joseph Farrugia sprayed a pass into the path of Borg Olivier who turned past two defenders before blasting the ball home.

A minute later, a Nicolò Baldacchino header was saved by the Qormi custodian as Mqabba produced an instant reaction. Two minutes from half-time, Mqabba were back on level terms. They were awarded a penalty after John Paul Muscat was tripped by Matthew Farrugia inside the box. Albert Busuttil converted from the spot.

On the resumption, it was Qormi again who started well, Zammit beating the offside trap only to shoot high from a good position.

On 57 minutes, Qormi's Jane Talcevski missed the target from just outside the area but four minutes later, Qormi were back in front. Referee Anton Zammit whistled a penalty in their favour after Mqabba defender Bonnici looked to have tamed Talcevski's drive with a hand. Zammit struck the ball hard past Calleja to put Qormi 2-1 ahead.

As happened in the first half, Qormi's joy was short-lived. Midway through the second half, Muscat served Baldacchino whose first-time effort was parried by Farrugia but Qormi defender Antonio Saliba turned the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear the danger.

Eight minutes from time, Mqabba got the winner. Former Floriana striker Baldacchino picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and, with the Qormi defence in a state of confusion, he dribbled past two defenders and goalkeeper Farrugia before burying the ball home.

To add insult to injury for Qormi, their captain Joseph Saliba was red-carded following a vicious foul on substitute Gilbert Scerri.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, L. Galea, M. Bonnici, C. Calleja, A. Busuttil, M. Cocks, E. Borg (G. Scerri), C. Camoin (M. Briffa), M. Anastasi (M. Catania), J.P. Muscat, N. Baldacchino.

Qormi: M. Farrugia, A. Saliba (J. Scicluna), J. Saliba, A. Formosa, J. Talcevski, K. Zammit (J. Chetcuti), E. Azzopardi, M. Borg Olivier, T. Paris, J. Farrugia, J. Zammit.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Man of the match: John Paul Muscat (Mqabba).