Effiong brace seals Qormi's progress

Pietà Hotspurs 1
Deanov 40
Qormi 3
Effiong 63, 82; Chetcuti 90

Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong scored a brace in the second half as Qormi came from a goal down to beat Pietà Hotspurs 3-1 in an entertaining FA Trophy first round match yesterday.

Qormi will face Ħamrun Spartans in the second round.

Two minutes into the game, Effiong drove wide after getting on the end of a clearance by the Qormi defence. Joseph Chetcuti was then denied by Pietá goalkeeper Ivan Cassar.

Jesmond Zerafa's side missed a glorious chance to forge ahead after a flowing move. Receiving a pass from Effiong, Chetcuti made a strong run on the left flank before crossing for Josivan Da Silva who failed to make contact with the ball.

On the half hour, Qormi were unlucky when a Grima free-kick hit the foot of the post.

Pietà's first attack came on 37 minutes when Carl Pulo sped down the left flank but his cross-shot was diverted for a corner by Rennie Forace.

Suddenly, Pietà had a menacing look about them and five minutes from half-time, their attacking efforts paid off. Martin Deanov's drive from inside the area just by-passed Simon Shead's attempt to head goalward, leaving Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia stunned as the ball sailed into the net.

Pietà might have doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half but Shead's effort from just inside the area ended just wide.

On 63 minutes, Qormi equalised when Effiong was on hand to nod home after Cassar misjudged Massimo Grima's free-kick.

Fourteen minutes from the end, substitute Keith Fenech was first to Da Silva's cross but his strike was saved by Cassar.

A minute later, the Pietà goalkeeper pulled off another fine save from Da Silva but eight minutes from time, Effiong headed home from a Grima free-kick to complete Qormi's comeback.

A minute into stoppage time, Chetcuti made it 3-1 for Qormi with a scorcher.

Pietà
I. Cassar, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, S. Shead, J. Poulangoye, C. Cassar ('77 C. McKay ), T. Vella, R. Camilleri, S. Micallef, S. Pace ('25 C. Pulo).

Qormi
M. Farrugia, R. Forace, R. Dos Santos, M. Grima, A. Debono, A. Effiong ('90 M. Borg), J. Chetcuti, R. Sammut, J. Da Silva, P. Camilleri ('67 S. Tellus), A. Ciantar ('52 K. Fenech).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Forace; Effiong; Camilleri; Poulangoye.