Defiant Marsaxlokk end barren run

Marsaxlokk 1
Caruana 60;
Qormi 0

For most of the season, Marsaxlokk have appeared doomed but on this evidence, the Blues are ready to up their fight to avoid the dreaded drop.

Without a win since their stunning 5-3 success over Ħamrun Spartans in the first week of November, the embattled Marsaxlokk were given little or no chance of arresting their barren run in their clash with Relegation Pool ‘leaders’ Qormi but they defied the odds after beating their more-quoted opponents.

Plucking fresh courage after the famous points-split in the Premier League brought them within sight of the safety line, Marsaxlokk signalled their intent to resurrect their survival bid with a brave performance that earned a deserved win over a lethargic Qormi side.

Last weekend, Qormi fought back from a goal down to edge Marsaxlokk 2-1 but the Yellow-Blacks reverted to type yesterday as they looked insipid and passionless for much of a generally low-key match that was illuminated by Gary Caruana’s screamer on the hour mark.

It is still early to talk of a Qormi crisis as they are six points ahead of Marsaxlokk and still well-placed to keep hold of their Premier League status but this showing will have done little to raise their optimism for the battles ahead.

Defender Roderick Sammut and Nigerian winger Abubakar Bello-Osagie were the two notable absentees for Qormi.

With Caio out of the picture after it was discovered that, under FIFA regulations, the Brazilian was ineligible to play for Qormi as he had already figured for two other clubs this season, the Yellow-Blacks have also been seeking clarification over the eligibility of Kris Thackray. The English defender was an unused substitute yesterday.

Marsaxlokk coach Anton Cremona made two changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Qormi last weekend as Luke Agius came in for the suspended Trevor Templeman and Patrick Borg replaced Clive Brincat.

The early exchanges did little to lift the subdued mood of the meagre crowd that braved the inclement weather as creative football proved hard to come by. It was not before the 21st minute that either side fashioned a glimmer of a chance.

Stephen Wellman directed a through-ball to Jorginho who took a heavy first touch as Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Christian Cassar rushed out to avert the danger.

Attacking in the same direction as the gusty win, Qormi were expected to pile the pressure on Marsaxlokk but it looked as though both sides were finding it hard to muster the adverse conditions.

Ten minutes from half-time, Matthew Bartolo lofted the ball towards Joseph Farrugia but the latter miscued his shot.

Marsaxlokk came close to breaking the deadlock in their first noteworthy attack three minutes from half-time. Jean Paul Farrugia laid the ball to Peter Oladotun who hit a dipping shot that sailed just over the bar.

Qormi also threatened as Vincent Kouadio was allowed a free header at the far post from Farrugia’s free-kick but the Ivorian’s attempt was blocked by Cassar.

Azzopardi tweaked his formation at half-time as Joseph Chetcuti came on for the disappointing Federico Mirarchi, Bartolo switched to left-back and Luke Sciberras moved into attack.

Five minutes into the second half, Marsaxlokk were denied an opener by Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia who pushed away Pedrozo’s dangerous header from Stoskovic’s free-kick.

Reprieved, Qormi mounted a brief spell of pressure, Cassar doing well to save Farrugia’s menacing cross-shot from an angled position.

In their next foray into Qormi’s half, Marsaxlokk hit the jackpot. Pedrozo, one of Marsaxlokk’s most influential performers, advanced on the left before cutting the ball back to Gary Caruana who unleashed a thumping drive that gave Farrugia no chance.

Qormi should have equalised when Jorginho opened up the Marsaxlokk defence with an astute pass but Farrugia and Chetcuti got in each other’s way as the two latched onto the ball. Chetcuti appeared to get a touch to the ball but his feeble effort was blocked by Caruana.

Referee Glenn Tonna then turned his gaze towards the Qormi bench as he dismissed club president Redino Apap for dissent.

Qormi hurled caution to the wind in their bid to find an equaliser but Marsaxlokk refused to yield an inch at the back with Borg distinguishing himself with two providential interventions.

After blocking Triston Caruana’s drive, the on-loan Birkirkara defender cut across the goalbound Jorginho before clearing the danger.

In stoppage time, Farrugia’s free-kick came off Marsaxlokk’s defensive barrier as Cremona’s troops held out for a merited win that takes them on the nine-point mark.

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar-7, M. Valeriani-6.5, P. Borg-8, L. Agius-6.5, J. Brincat-6, N. Stoskovic-6.5 (90 S. Cutajar), S. Eboh-6.5, J.P. Farrugia-6, G. Caruana-7, P.T. Oladotun-6, A.C. Pedrozo-6.5 (80 C. Brincat).

Qormi: M. Farrugia-5.5, M. Bartolo-4, J. Farrugia-5, L. Sciberras-4 (80 R. Buhagiar), K. Scicluna-4, F. Mirarchi-4 (46 J. Chetcuti-5), J. Bondin-4, Jorginho-5, T. Caruana-5, S. Wellman-4 (68 G. Chircop-4), V. Kouadio-5.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Yellow cards: Scicluna; Stoskovic; Farrugia; Brincat.

BOV player of the match: Gary Caruana (Marsaxlokk).