HAMRUN SPARTANS-0, QORMI-2

Luke Sciberras scored a great goal as Qormi gathered three precious points after a 2-0 victory over derby rivals Hamrun Spartans.

Subsitute Leighton Grech scored the second goal in stoppage time to secure a deserved win for Qormi who are now virtually assured of keeping their Premier League status as they moved on the 21-point mark, 10 clear of third-from-bottom Hamrun.

It was Qormi who took the lead after 14 minutes. Sciberras stole the limelight as he produced a sizzling drive from the distance that left Hamrun goalkeeper Anthony Curmi rooted to the spot.

Qormi dominated most of the first half, going close to adding to their lead on several occasions. Moises Avila Perez just missed Alfred Effiong's cross.Two minutes short of the half-hour, Effiong slipped the ball to Jonathan Bondin but the Qormi captained drove over from routine distance.

The Spartans briefly broke Qormi's dominance when Giacomo Favero's cross-cum-shot was fisted away by Steve Sultana, the Qormi goalkeeper.But Qormi remained the better side. They missed another great chance when Joseph Chetcuti's cross from the left reached Effiong at the far post but the latter's chip hit the inside of the crossbar and Avila Perez failed to apply the killer touch.

Late in the first half, Curmi blocked an effort from Edison Zarate and Avila Perez headed high from Effiong's cross.Qormi continued where they had left off in the first half as, two minutes into the second half, they threatened again. Chetcuti released Effiong in the box but the Nigerian's effort just missed the target.

Bondin's shot was deflected just wide of a post and Avila Perez hit wide after receiving from Zarate.As the second half progressed, Hamrun began to play better. Massimo Grima whipped in a cross-shot from a free-kick but Sultana saved in two attempts.

In the closing stages, Sultana denied the Spartans an equaliser with a fine save from Daniel Zerafa's screamer. Qormi were quick to break on the counter but Effiong was felled by Adrian Borg just inside the box with referee Marco Borg dismissing the Spartans' defender for his rash challenge.In added time, Grech raced through the Spartans' depleted defence before rifling past Curmi.

Sciberras was voted BOV player of the match.

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