Lagana's second half goal sinks Qormi
Qormi 0Vittoriosa Stars 1\nA Larry Lagana second half goal was enough for Vittoriosa Stars to kickstart their season with victory over Qormi yesterday. This was a balanced match played in gusty winds with Ivan Zammit marshalling well Vittoriosa's...
Qormi 0
Vittoriosa Stars 1
\nA Larry Lagana second half goal was enough for Vittoriosa Stars to kickstart their season with victory over Qormi yesterday.
This was a balanced match played in gusty winds with Ivan Zammit marshalling well Vittoriosa's rearguard and Lagana and Anthony Eviparker a constant threat for the Qormi defence.
Vittoriosa were on the offensive right from the start and on 10 minutes a Zammit free-kick was saved by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.
Gradually, Qormi came more into the picture and on 21 minutes Clyde Camoin's pass found Chima Dozie who burst through before firing a shot that was parried away to safety by goalkeeper Ivan Cassar.
Vittoriosa could have taken the lead on 34 minutes when Qormi defender Matthew Borg miskicked the ball in his own area but Lucien Scerri shot straight into the hands of Qormi keeper Farrugia.
Vittoriosa continued to press forward and eight minutes from the break, a floating throughball from Scerri released Eviparker who anticipated Farrugia but his attempted flick was cleared away by the Qormi rearguard.
Vittoriosa scored what proved to be the winner on 57 minutes. Keith Darmanin served Eviparker on the right and the Nigerian crossed the ball towards Lagana who slotted home.
Qormi's response soon arrived and on 67 minutes Joseph Farrugia served a good ball to Kurt Zammit whose long-range shot finished over.
Although it was Qormi who were doing all the running, the Vittoriosa rearguard withstood the pressure and in injury time Darmanin could have sealed the points but his drive finished just wide.
Qormi: M. Farrugia, K. Zammit, M. Borg, J. Francica, A. Debono, J. Farrugia, C. Camoin (M. Borg Olivier), C. Formosa, L. Grima (J. Chetcuti), C. Dozie, P. Camilleri.
Vittoriosa: I. Cassar, San. Calleja (R. Adami), C. Sciberras (D. Gauci), I. Zammit, A. Eviparker, L. Scerri, K. Darmanin, T. Thomas, L. Lagana, Steph. Calleja (S. Privitelli), J. Spiteri.
Referee: Marco Borg.
Man of the match: Ivan Zammit (Vittoriosa Stars).