Qormi back in promotion hunt

Tarxien Rainbows 0
Qormi 2

Qormi did the double on Tarxien Rainbows to rejoin the race for promotion to the Premier League. After beating them 4-1 in the first round, Qormi yesterday scored twice in the last 13 minutes to join their opponents in second place on 27 points, two behind leaders Mosta who face Marsa today.

The first half was a boring affair with both sides seemingly more concerned about not conceding rather than venture forward.

The only scoring opportunity of the first 45 minutes fell Tarxien's way when Andrew Decesare's through-pass deceived the Qormi rearguard as it rolled to John Paul Muscat. The latter came face to face with Matthew Farrugia but shot straight at the Qormi goalkeeper.

The game improved in the second half with Qormi showing the better ideas. Joseph Farrugia hit a shot just wide from around 25 metres. Tarxien responded on 65 minutes when Essien Mbong's drive from 35 metres missed the target.

Both sides continued to rely on shots from long range in a bid to break the stalemate.

Anatole Debono's effort for Qormi forced Anthony Curmi into a fine save 15 minutes from the end.

Qormi now pushed forward with more conviction and their pressure paid off 13 minutes from time. Clyde Camoin's cross from a free-kick sailed towards the unmarked Michael Borg Olivier who sent the Qormi crowd into ecstasy by heading the ball home.

Tarxien replied with an Angus Buhagiar drive that was deflected away for a corner on 80 minutes.

Two minutes later, Noel Coleiro's side were unlucky not to draw level when a Buhagiar cross-shot almost found its way into the net but former Tarxien defender Jonathan Francica headed off the line.

The Rainbows continued to push more men forward and four minutes from the end, an Mbong strike was well saved by the Qormi keeper. From the rebound, the grounded Matthew Borg just missed the target from six metres out.

In the dying moments, Carmel Formosa wrapped up the points for Qormi. The experienced striker looked to have mishit the ball in front of goal following a Farrugia cross but his scrambled attempt still squeezed into the net for Qormi's second goal.

Tarxien: A. Curmi, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, M. Buttigieg, O. Grech (S. Shead), E. Mbong, A. Buhagiar, A. Decesare, R. Schembri, J.P. Muscat (M. Borg), L. Vella Critien (J. Shead).

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Saliba, K. Zammit, C. Camoin, J. Francica, M. Caruana, J. Farrugia, J. Chetcuti (P. Camilleri), A. Ihebulu (C. Formosa), M. Borg Olivier (M. Borg), A. Debono.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Matthew Farrugia (Qormi).

Dingli go fourth

Senglea Athletics 0
Dingli Swallows 4

Dingli Swallows moved up to fourth place in the table after a convincing victory over Senglea Athletics who are now effectively out of contention for promotion.

Dingli had Christopher Ciappara, Jeremy Agius and Uchanna Anywanna in tremendous form.

The first half was played at a frenetic pace with Dingli enjoying a clear edge over Senglea .

After only 10 minutes, Senglea might have taken the lead when Anthony Ewurun sprinted into the Dingli box but instead of passing to Kenneth Abela, he opted to shoot and Dingli's Jeffrey Farrugia saved.

Dingli gradually began to play better and on 18 minutes, Agius's shot from outside the area went just wide. On the half hour, Dingli forged ahead when Senglea's Daniel Cosaitis committed an own goal as he tried to clear Roderick Spiteri's pass towards Ciappara.

Jesmond Zammit's side continued to dominate but Spiteri and Agius missed chances to double their team's lead. Two minutes before the break, Dingli made it 2-0. From a short corner, taken by Kurt Formosa, Spiteri hit a flyer with the ball going in off the underside of the crossbar.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Senglea's Digger Okonkwo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Ciappara.

From the resulting free-kick, Dingli made it 3-0. Fabio Cauchi played the ball into the path of Agius who set up Anywanna. The Nigerian played a fast one-two with Ciappara and buried the ball into the net.

Dingli could have increased their advantage on 68 minutes. Ciappara beat the offside trap and passed to Anywanna who fired wide.

The Swallows hit their fourth and final goal three minutes from time when Anywanna fed substitute Christian Tabone who drove home.

Senglea: G. Attard, D. Cosaitis, D. Okonkwo, S. Aquilina, J. Farrugia, C. Caruana (L. Bonnett), K. Mifsud, B. Zerafa (J. Zerafa), C. Cuschieri (T. Thomas), A. Ewurun, K. Abela.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, F. Cauchi (C. Tabone), R. Spiteri, C. Ciappara, K. Formosa, V. Fiteni (B. Galea), C. Muscat, J. Agius, J. Cachia, E. Farrugia (J. Sapiano), U. Anywanna.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Man of the match: Jeremy Agius (Dingli).