Farrugia's brace keeps Qormi in the race

Vittoriosa Stars 1
Qormi 2

Promotion hopefuls Qormi bounced back from their 2-0 upset to Dingli Swallows with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Vittoriosa Stars yesterday.

Qormi found the going tough against Vittoriosa but two goals from Joseph Farrugia ensured that Jesmond Zerafa's team avenged their defeat in the corresponding first round match.

Three minutes into the game, Anthony EviParker passed to Leighton Grech who was foiled by Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper.

On 23 minutes, Qormi's Camoin hit wide and shortly afterwards, Carmel Formosa missed a sitter, driving the ball wide from in front of goal.

Bjorn Dalli and Joe Chetcuti wasted good chances for Qormi who were the more creative side going forward.

A minute past the half hour, Qormi's Farrugia pulled off a magnificent save on Lucien Scerri's first-timer. Five minutes later, it was Vittoriosa keeper Ivan Cassar who came out to cut out Dalli's run.

Qormi went ahead two minutes into the second half, Farrugia scoring with a direct free-kick.

Two minutes later, Vittoriosa's Cedric Sciberras handled the ball in the box following a Formosa cross and a penalty was given. Farrugia scored to double Qormi's lead.

Vittoriosa's reaction saw them produce three open scoring opportunities. A free-kick by Ivan Zammit, who came on as a substitute, was kept out by Farrugia who, moments later, was well-positioned to save a first-time effort by Stephen Calleja. A Timothy Thomas close-range header was also stopped by the Qormi goalkeeper.

Ten minutes from the end, Vittoriosa reduced the arrears when Thomas scored from close in following a melee in the Qormi box.

Vittoriosa increased their attacking efforts in the final stages but Qormi could have added another goal when, from a quick counter-attack, Lee Grima failed to score from an inviting position.

Vittoriosa: I. Cassar, S. Privitelli (S. Calleja), J. Camilleri, L. Scerri, R. Adami, L. Grech (I. Zammit), D. Gauci, J. Spiteri (K. Darmanin), A. EviParker, Timothy Thomas, C. Sciberras.

Qormi: M. Farrugia, K. Zammit, C. Camoin, J. Francica, J. Saliba, J. Farrugia, A. Debono, J. Chetcuti, M. Caruana, B. Dalli (L. Grima), C. Formosa (P. Camilleri).

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Joseph Farrugia (Qormi).

St Patrick win

St Patrick 4
St George's 1

Strugglers St Patrick boosted their survival hopes with a comprehensive 4-1 win over St George's yesterday.

The Saints could have won by a bigger margin but missed many chances against a poor St George's side.

The first half was dull with St Patrick marginally the better side. They forged ahead on 32 minutes, Matthew Xerri heading past Andrea Gatt.

Two minutes into the second half, St Patrick's Matthew Fleri Soler headed home from a Clayton Micallef cross. Five minutes later, the St George's defence was culpable again when Thomas Caruana ran through to slot the ball home.

On the hour, St George's scored a consolation goal through St Patrick's former striker Peter Anizoba who headed home from a Kurt Formosa cross. But, seven minutes later, St Patrick restored their three-goal advantage, Haruna Doda finishing off a good one-two with Simon Zerafa.

St Patrick were now in the ascendancy. A shot by Caruana was saved by Gatt while Zerafa blasted his effort wide and high from a good position.

St Patrick: D. Cassar (F. Azzopardi), R. Cassar, M. Fleri Soler, C. Grech (K. Vassallo), M. Pullicino, M. Xerri, T. Caruana, C. Micallef, H. Doda, B. Bonnici (S. Zerafa), E. Borg.

St George's: A. Gatt, P. Anizoba, J. Delia (C. Caruana), K. Xuereb, E. Amaira, M. Mifsud (L. Desira Buttigieg), G. Barry, K. Formosa (B. Borg), L. Agius, G. Tanti, J. Zammit.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Thomas Caruana (St Patrick).