Effiong's hat-trick keeps City in control

QORMI-1, VALLETTA-4

Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong scored a quickfire hat-trick in the first half to inspire Valletta to an easy 4-1 win over Qormi at the National Stadium.

The champions had the points safely sewn up by the 32nd minute as they moved into a four-goal lead against the sloppy Qormi who only came to life in the second half. But it was too late for then as Valletta had long pulled themselves out of sight to move six points clear of Hibs at the top of the table before the latter's clash with Birkirkara this afternoon.

An early goal opened the floodgates for Valletta. Only eight minutes from the start of the game had passed when Jamie Pace set up Denni inside the box and the Brazilian drove past Steve Sultana, the Qormi goalkeeper.

With Qormi looking rattled, Valletta duly took advantage to double their lead through Alfred Effiong. The Nigerian made the most of Qormi's poor defending as he slotted home from close range.

Two-nil down, Qormi had to act to reverse the tide but their reaction was too weak. Daniel Nwoke made a good run into the Valletta box but Jonathan Caruana made a perfectly-timed tackle to dispossess the Nigerian.

Jorginho fired wide from the distance but Qormi fell further behind close the half-hour mark.

Effiong scored his second of the game with a backheader from Denni's left-wing cross. Two minutes later Effiong added to his former club's woes as he completed his hat-trick with a close-range effort after Qormi had partially cleared Agius's cross-shot.

Qormi's Jorginho tried to give his team a glimmer of hope with a long-range grounder that was blocked by Hogg. Mirarchi also tried his luck from the distance but his effort ended wide.

Azzopardi reacted to his side's disastrous first-half display by taking off goalkeeper Sultana and defender Stephen Wellman who were replaced by Matthew Farrugia and Jeffrey Chetcuti respectively.

Early in the second half, Valletta's Dyson Falzon swerved his free-kick beyond Qormi's human barrier but the ball flew marginally wide.

At the other end, Nwoke threatened with a diagonal volley that came off the side-netting. A good pass from Scottish midfielder Stuart Duff led to an opening for Qormi as Jorginho powered his way into the box but Roderick Briffa came rushing back to dispossess the Brazilian.

Qormi were now enjoying more possession. They protested for a penalty when Jorginho, dashing in from the right, tumbled to the ground after being challenged by Steve Borg but referee Chris Lautier allowed play to continue.

With 14 minutes remaining, Qormi received a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty after Edmond Agius was deemed to have raised a hand to block Jorginho's free-kick. Jorginho sent his shot past Hogg to reduce Qormi's deficit.

Ryan Fenech, who had replaced Zongo, hit a long-range drive that ended wide as the match moved into its final five minutes.

Jorginho, an improved performer for Qormi in the second half, was prominent with a neat turn and shot but Matthew Towns, who had just come on for Hogg, saved.

Effiong was voted BOV player of the match.