Stripes' first-half burst stuns Qormi

Qormi 2
Camilo 12; Deguara 90
Birkirkara 5
Bajada 11; Comvalius 25; Mallia 35; Wellman 44 og; Cilia 75

Qormi's hopes of ending the first round as the sole leaders of the BOV Premier League were shattered by Birkirkara who hammered Jesmond Zerafa's team 5-2 yesterday.

The outcome was indeed surprising as many had predicted a tight, well-contested encounter between two of the most in-form teams in the top flight.

Three consecutive victories had given Qormi a two-point lead at the top but they were brought down to earth with a bang by a resurgent Birkirkara side.

Inspired by fine performances from their Dutch striker Sylvano Comvalius and winger Trevor Cilia, the Stripes dismantled the Qormi rearguard, surging to a 4-1 lead by the end of the first half.

Three goals in arrears, there was no way back for Qormi in the second half as Birkirkara stayed in control to join their victims at the top of the standings with 19 points from nine matches.

Qormi coach Zerafa had no injury problems and fielded his strongest formation.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, was boosted by the availability of Cilia, Comvalius, Angus Buhagiar and Shaun Bajada who shrugged off minor injuries.

Birkirkara made all the early running with Qormi opting for their usual prudent approach. They tried to close all avenues to the Stripes' three-pronged attack comprising Comvalius, Michael Galea and Cilia.

It was the Stripes who threatened in the ninth minute when Cilia picked up a short clearance just outside the area but his fierce low drive was blocked by Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper.

In their next foray into Qormi's half, the Stripes struck. The clock marked 11 minutes of the game played when Comvalius's diagonal cross was nodded by Galea into the path of the sprinting Bajada who fired home from close in.

Birkirkara's joy was shortlived as, barely a minute later, Qormi drew level. The Birkirkara defenders were hesitant as they failed to clear the ball from the edge of the area and Brazilian striker Camilo flashed in before beating Jorge Mora with a low shot.

The Stripes looked stunned but they quickly raced forward in search of a second goal. Their efforts were rewarded on 25 minutes.

They won a free-kick just outside the area and Comvalius's curling shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced beyond the goal-line with referee Paul Caruana immediately awarding the goal despite the protests of the Qormi defenders.

Comvalius's incursions from the left were creating several problems to the Qormi rearguard. On 33 minutes, the Dutchman raced past Jonathan Bondin before sending a low cross towards the steaming Paul Fenech whose close-range shot was kept out by Farrugia.

Qormi failed to heed the warning signs and a minute later, Birkirkara increased their lead. Comvalius was again the provider as his precise pass was well met by George Mallia who beat Farrugia with a neat flick.

Five minutes from the break, Effiong could have thrown Qormi a lifeline but his shot from just inside the area flew over.

More misery was in store for Qormi a minute from half-time when Comvalius's curling cross into the area was met by Qormi defender Stephen Wellman who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.

Birkirkara took to the field in the second half looking calm and assured as they sought to administer their three-goal advantage by preventing their opponents taking the initiative.

On 57 minutes, Comvalius again threatened with another free-kick but this time his swerving shot sailed wide.

The pace of Cilia and Comvalius was a constant threat for Qormi.

Just past the hour, the former Floriana winger stormed clear on the right but his low cross was partially cleared by the Qormi defence. Cilia regained possession before firing a rasping drive that finished over.

Birkirkara rubberstamped their win 15 minutes from time when Cilia set off on another scorching run before hitting a stinging drive that was fumbled by Farrugia.

Three minutes from time, Birkirkara's satisfaction was slightly dampened when Joseph Zerafa was dismissed after receiving a second booking for a poor challenge on Camilo.

In stoppage time, Qormi pulled a goal back when Effiong found substitute Ryan Deguara whose powerful effort flew past Mora.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-4, Ramon-5, R. Sammut-4.5, J. Bondin-4, S. Wellman-4.5, J. Farrugia-5 ('65 R. Deguara-6), M. Grima-5, K. Fenech-5, J. Chetcuti-5 ('65 S. Meilak-4), Camilo-5.5, A. Effiong-5.5.

Birkirkara
J. Mora-6, P. Fenech-6.5, N. Vukanac-6.5, B. Nisevic-6.5, J. Zerafa, T. Cilia-7.5 ('80 M. Camilleri), G. Mallia-7, M. Galea-6.5, A. Buhagiar-6 ('67 T. Paris-5.5), S. Comvalius-8, S. Bajada-7 ('75 A. Tabone).

Referee Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards Nisevic; Fenech; Camilo; Farrugia; Zerafa.

Red card Zerafa (B) 87.

BOV player of the match Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).