Leaders Qormi add to Sliema's woes

Sliema Wanderers 1
Woods 71
Qormi 2
Wellman 38; Farrugia 84

With Brazilian hotshot Camilo sidelined with injury, Qormi's second round meeting with the embattled Sliema Wanderers was an opportunity for Jesmond Zerafa's high-fliers to demonstrate that they are not a one-man show.

The prospect of tightening their grip on top spot before the much-awaited derby between Valletta and Floriana was an added incentive for Qormi but, on the other side of the fence, Sliema were desperate to get back in the winning groove and keep talk of a crisis at bay.

After a dismal first half in which Qormi had been marginally the better team, Sliema at last showed some resilience to fight back. But these are indeed difficult times for this vulnerable-looking Sliema side who were floored by a late sucker punch from their former midfielder Joseph Farrugia whose goal confirmed Qormi as the undisputed leaders of the Premier League and all but sealed their Championship Pool objective.

On the day when the nation's attention was on L-Istrina, the players of Qormi and Sliema and the match officials took to the field wearing T-shirts promoting this annual philanthropic fund-raising marathon.

Camilo's absence induced coach Jesmond Zerafa to switch from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 with Alfred Effiong deployed as a lone striker.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzopard was hampered by the absence of two key midfielders.

Mark Scerri received a one-match ban after collecting his fourth yellow card in the 1-0 upset to Msida and Ryan Fenech is out for three to four weeks after spraining ankle ligaments in last Tuesday's match. Matthew Bartolo is still sidelined with injury.

Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, back in the fray after completing his two-match ban, reclaimed his place in the heart of defence as Lucian Dronca took up the holding role in midfield with Clayton Failla operating in front of him.

Qormi were the more enterprising side in the opening 20 minutes but scoring chances were something of a rarity.

For all the running of their midfield players, Sliema offered little going forward with lone striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza cutting a lonely figure up front.

Qormi managed to break the deadlock eight minutes from half-time.

Farrugia's swerving cross from a left-wing free-kick soared above a posse of players, including Sliema goalkeeper Simon Agius, and Stephen Wellman was on hand to head home.

In next to no time, Qormi threatened to heap more misery on Sliema when Effiong pounced on a short backpass by Gatt Baldacchino but the Nigerian's shot was headed away by Josef Mifsud.

With Sliema in complete disarray, Qormi continued to push forward. Agius did well to fist away a strong drive from Ryan Deguara.

Ten minutes after the re-start Failla let fly a powerful free-kick but his effort was too central to trouble Matthew Farrugia in the Qormi goal.

Sliema began to apply more pressure on Qormi's defence as the second half wore on. Azzopardi hauled off Ian Azzopardi and put in veteran Noel Turner 19 minutes into the second half.

The Blues would have levelled matters but for a tipping save from Farrugia who stretched backward to push Alex Muscat's looping shot over the bar.

Turner's introduction added steel to Sliema's midfield. Farrugia frustrated Sliema with another fine save from John Mintoff's well-struck shot but 19 minutes from time, the Blues equalised.

Failla put in a good cross from a corner and Ivan Woods swivelled before directing the ball into the net via the upright.

Sliema sighed with relief, moreso after their goalkeeper Agius twice prevented Qormi restoring their lead.

Steve Meilak's close-range header from Deguara's cross brought an excellent save from Agius. From the rebound, Effiong again headed goalward but Agius stood firm to keep the ball out.

Not to be denied Qormi regained the lead, six minutes from the end. Meilak threw the Sliema defence off balance with a delightful cross and Farrugia applied the decisive touch as he flicked the ball past the diving Agius.

Sliema threatened to make it two-all but Woods' diving header from Failla's free-kick was blocked by Farrugia.

On the stroke of time, Grima's long ball from his own half sent Effiong clear but the Nigerian's angled effort was deflected away for a corner by Mifsud.

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius-6.5, A. Muscat-6, I. Azzopardi-4 ('65 N. Turner-6), J. Mifsud-7, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-4, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, I. Woods-6, L. Dronca-4, I. Ciantar-5, J. Mintoff-5.5, C. Failla-6.5.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-7, R. Sammut-6, Ramon-7, S. Wellman-6, J. Bondin-6, M. Grima-6.5 ('90 G. Buttigieg), K. Fenech-6.5, S. Meilak-6 ('87 K. Spiteri), J. Farrugia-6.5, R. Deguara-7, E. Effiong-6.

Referee Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow card Failla.

BOV player of the match Ryan Deguara (Qormi).