Qormi 2
Avila Perez 40; Zarate 43
Melita 0

The notion that this season’s relegation battle is a three-team fight was reinforced yesterday after Qormi despatched the challenge of Melita to go top of the strugglers’ pool.

Eager to redeem themselves after a 2-1 upset to Rabat, Qormi effectively sealed their win by the end of the first half after establishing a two-goal lead.

So superior were Qormi in the first half that a drubbing for Melita looked on the cards but that failed to materialise as the Amateurs rallied after the break.

But, as in their recent outings, Melita left themselves with much to do after a turgid first-half showing. They did try to claw back into contention but a glaring miss by Daniel Cabanillas and the solid goalkeeping of Matthew Farrugia foiled Melita’s fightback, leaving them propping up the table with seven points.

Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa reshuffled his line-up. He continued to rotate his goalkeepers as Farrugia started ahead of Steve Sultana with Roderick Sammut, Joseph Chetcuti and Luke Sciberras also handed first-team recalls.

Andrew Caruana Scicluna and Matthew Borg, were missing for Melita but Karl Vella Petroni reclaimed his place in the starting formation after serving a one-match ban.

Melita coach Patxi Salinas, who again had to monitor proceedings from the stands, reverted to 4-1-4-1 with Luke Micallef occupying the lone striker’s role.

The tactical module preferred by Zerafa was 4-2-3-1 with Alfred Effiong, Moises Avila Perez, Leighton Grech and Chetcuti given freedom to interchange in attack.

Qormi might have broken the stalemate early on. Chetcuti’s corner sailed towards Avila Perez who directed a header towards goal but Giullermo Garcia, the Melita keeper, was alert as he pushed the ball away.

It was then the turn of George Gribbon to rescue Melita as he just managed to nudge the ball away for Avila Perez in the six-yard box.

The pattern of the game in the early stages suggested that Melita were willing to let Qormi hold the initiative and break forward on the counter and it was not before the 18th minute that they created their first chance as Julian Galea’s shot was blocked by Farrugia.

Despite their bolder approach, Qormi were finding it hard to create chances.

Avila Perez had a shot saved by Garcia while, at the other end, Galea raced into the box but his cross found no takers.

Eight minutes from half-time, Avila Perez picked out Effiong in the box but the Nigerian’s shot was repelled by Gribbon.

It proved a temporary reprieve for Melita as, two minutes later, Qormi broke the deadlock. Steve Wellman’s free-kick created a scramble in the Melita box as Kris Thackray’s effort was blocked but the loose ball rolled to Avila Perez who shot past Garcia.

Qormi soon made it 2-0. Pouncing on a mistake by Vella Petroni, Zarate surged into the box unchallenged before rifling a shot that hit Garcia on its way into the net.

Two goals in arrears, Melita needed to lift their game to revive their flailing hopes. They began the second half with more conviction, Cabanillas forcing a save from Farrugia.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Ivan Tufegdzic volleyed high after Qormi had partially cleared a corner.

Further evidence of Melita’s progress came on 65 minutes when Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho’s free-kick looked destined to hit the back of the net but Farrugia turned the ball away for a corner.

Melita should have re-opened the issue 15 minutes from time. Galea laid the ball to the unmarked Cabanillas but the Spaniard blasted wide with only the keeper to beat.

With Qormi showing signs of uneasiness, Melita continued to carve openings.

Substitute Alan Borg Olivier fired just wide of the Qormi goal after receiving Sierra Camacho’s cut-back.

Nine minutes from time, Melita had the ball in the net when Cabanillas nodded home from a corner action but the ‘goal’ was disallowed for offside.

On the brink of time, Farrugia again thwarted Melita when beating away a drive by Tufegdzic, now playing as striker, from inside the box.

Qormi: M. Farrugia-8, K. Thackray-6, R. Sammut-6, A. Effiong-5 (90 A. Cassar), J. Chetcuti-5.5 (80 C. Cassar), M. Avila Perez-7, L. Sciberras-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-6.5, D. Pisani-5, S. Wellman-6, L. Grech-5 (72 M. Bartolo).

Melita: G. Garcia-6, M.R. Sierra Camacho-5.5, K. Vella Petroni-4 (46 L. Sammut-6), G. Gribbon-6.5, I. Tufegdzic-6.5, J. Galea-5.5, M. Valenzia-4 (53 A. Borg Olivier-5), M. Martin-5.5 (71 J.P. Attard-4), L. Micallef-4, N. Rizzo-5, D. Cabanillas-4.

Referee Mario Apap.

Yellow cards Vella Petroni; Martin.

BOV player of the match Moises Avila Perez (Qormi).

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