Qormi 2 Bello-Osagie 55; Effiong 63 Mosta 0

Undaunted by a win-at-all-cost scenario, Qormi continued with their recent vintage form to outsmart their opponents with 2-1 victory.

Former Lazio and Parma midfielder Fabio Vignaroli’s first noteworthy intervention came within the first two minutes. His well-taken free-kick, hit low towards the far post, drew a good save from Matthew Farrugia.

Five minutes later, Mosta survived a dangerous situation as a long ball reached Effiong outside the box but the Nigerian striker opted to square the ball for Abubaker Bello-Osagie instead of shooting and Carlos Compagnoli, reading his intentions, cleared the danger.

Thereafter, flowing football was hard to come by, both sets of players finding it hard to establish a foothold in the match.

Bello-Osagie’s speed and agility helped to launch another menacing Qormi attack, the striker swiftly transferring the ball to Effiong whose attempt at goal slammed into the goalkeeper’s chest.Three minutes from half-time, Mitev supplied an inviting cross but Vignaroli’s shot brought a good save from Farrugia.

There was a sharp drop in the rate of scoring chances in the opening exchanges of the second period. Yet when Zarate and Bello-Osagie combined again ten minutes in the second half, Qormi seized the lead.The Chilean midfielder’s perfect-weighted pass fell on the Nigerian striker, who swivilled before firing a rising shot behind Jeffrey Farrugia.

And nine minutes later, Mosta found themselves facing a two-goal deficit. Another lethal counter-attack from Qormi saw Bello-Osagie jinking his way past a posse of Mosta players before crossing towardsthe far post where Effiong stood unmarked to skew the ball past the wrong-footed and into the far corner of the net.

The moment Effiong deposited the ball into the corner, torrential rain swept across the Tedesco Stadium drenching the players until the end of the match. The slippery surface did not help Mosta who now had to put more emphasis on attack with their Championship Pool hopes in jeopardy.

Qormi could have sealed the issue 20 minutes from time when they mounted another swift break but Joseph Chetcuti’s shot was blocked by Farrugia.

Mosta may have got back in contention eight minutes from time, but Matthew Farrugia tipped Mitev’s effort over the bar. At death, Mitev’s corner from the right triggered a goalmouth melee as substitute David Maia dos Santos buried the ball home but it was too little too late.