Floriana 0
Qormi 0
Qormi and Floriana have all but seen their hopes of making a late push for Championship Pool football this season come to an end yesterday after they cancelled each other in a dour, goalless stalemate.
With so much ground to make up and reach sixth-placed Sliema Wanderers, both teams took the pitch fully aware that only victory could realistically keep them in the hunt for a top-six berth.
Qormi were the more enterprising side as they dominated proceedings for long stretches. However, despite creating a good number of scoring opportunities Jesmond Zerafa’s men could not find a way past Tony Warner, the Floriana goalkeeper.
The Greens, on the other hand, were forced to play without some key personnel. They were unable to pose any kind of threat to their opponents and, perhaps, they should feel satisfied to have left the stadium without being defeated.
Zerafa handed Moises Avila-Perez his debut as the Spanish forward was deployed in a central striking role. Aboubakar Bello-Osagie, in his last appearance for the club before joining Sliema Wanderers, formed a three-pronged attack which also included Leighton Grech.
Alfred Effiong and Clyde Camoin, who joined the Yellows last week, started on the bench.
Coach Stephen Azzopardi was again without a string of first-team players as Brazilian winger Igor Coronado was serving a one-match suspension, and midfielder Trevor Cilia and striker Mark Spiteri were both ruled out by injury. On the plus side, striker Ryan Darmanin returned after recovering from knee trouble.
The opening minutes were devoid of any scoring opportunities and it had to be a piece of individual skill from Grech to break the monotony midway through the half when he forced his way through on the right. After seeing his first shot blocked, Grech’s second attempt was turned to a corner by Warner.
Floriana’s response arrived on 32 minutes when Brooke Farrugia unleashed a powerful drive from outside the area that never troubled the Qormi keeper.
Grech was a constant threat for the Greens’ defence and on 38 minutes the Qormi winger sprinted to reach Joseph Chetcuti’s throughpass but he was anticipated by the alert Warner.
Grech was at it again five minutes from the break. This time he reached another Chetcuti service but his attempted lob was blocked by Owen Bugeja. The ball rolled into the path of Avila-Perez who dallied to conclude and the chance went abegging.
Floriana were clearly on the ropes at this juncture.
Qormi were awarded a free-kick from an inviting position but Stephen Wellman’s inswinger hit the bar before Floriana booted the ball upfield.
Then, just before half-time, Avila-Perez had a golden opportunity to score when he did well to control Matthew Bartolo’s pass but was stopped by Kane Farrugia as he was about to shoot.
The pattern of the match did not change much after the break.
Avila-Perez forced his way inside the Floriana box before cutting back towards Jonathan Bondin who fired over.
Zerafa withdrew Chetcuti and roped in Effiong in his bid to push more men forward but Qormi were forced into a second change soon after when Grech limped out injured. He was replaced by Camoin.
Qormi held the edge and from a Camoin corner, Bello-Osagie anticipated his marker but his firm header was stopped by Warner.
Floriana substitute Luca Casha almost stunned Qormi late in the match but his shot, after dispossessing Thackray, was palmed away by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.
Floriana
T. Warner-6.5, K. Farrugia-6, C. Tremarco-6.5, O. Bugeja-6, T. Paris-6.5, D. Pisani-6, J. Borg-6, R. Darmanin-5 (70 L. Casha), B. Farrugia-6, C. Borg-6, S. Borg-6.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, K. Thackray-6, M. Bartolo-6.5 (81 M. Bartolo), J. Chetcuti-5.5 (55 A. Effiong-5), A. Bello-Osagie-7, L. Sciberras-6, M. Gauci-6, J. Bondin-5.5, S. Wellman-6, M. Avila-Perez-7, L. Grech-6.5 (65 C. Camoin-6).
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: B. Farrugia, Tremarco.
BOV Player of the match: Moises Avila-Perez (Qormi).