Melita’s Nigel Rizzo wins the ball during his side’s 3-1 defeat to Qormi. Photo: Alan Carville

Melita 1
Galea 84;
Qormi 3
Avila Perez 41; Grech 75; Effiong 87 pen;

Melita are on the brink of relegation after going down to Qormi in a game that saw two Amateurs players dismissed in the second half.

Melita came into this match in desperate need of points to bridge the gap with fellows-in-distress Ħamrun and third-bottom Rabat but they were simply no match for the Yellow-Blacks who were all over their opponents from the outset.

Not for the first time this season, Melita’s cause was undermined by their poor disciplinary record. They had Matthew Borg dismissed at the start of the second half for dissent. He was followed off the pitch by coach Patxi Salinas and, late on, Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho was red-carded for two cautions.

With this win, Qormi have reduced the gap on Floriana, the Relegation Pool leaders, to three points.

Melita stay bottom on 10 points. They could be relegated as early as next weekend as a defeat against Balzan, coupled with a positive result for Rabat against Floriana, would seal their fate.

Despite having nothing to play for bar pride, Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa elected to field a strong team.

Matthew Farrugia was back in goal at the expense of Steve Sultana who had a very good game in Qormi’s 4-0 win over Rabat. Christian Cassar and Matthew Bartolo were ruled out with injuries with Leighton Grech and Luke Sciberras handed a recall to the first XI.

Salinas welcomed back right-back Sierra Camacho, who missed the 2-0 defeat to Floriana due to suspension, while Spanish goalkeeper Guillermo Gabilondo Garcia started ahead of Philippe Schranz. Luke Micallef started the match but Rudi Alhinho was out.

Qormi made the early running. After three minutes, they were awarded a free-kick on the left and Edison Bilbao Zarate’s delivery was met by Moises Avila Perez whose header finished over.

Six minutes later, Gabilondo Garcia kept out Jonathan Bondin’s shot from outside the box.

It was clear in these early stages that Melita were lacking ideas.

On 24 minutes, Avila Perez sent a perfect ball towards Grech who was clean through but fired against the Melita side-netting.

The best chance of the half came Melita’s way when Julian Galea sent a teasing cross into the area and Daniel Cabanillas Ayllon deflected the ball against the post.

Qormi threatened when Alfred Effiong burst into the Melita box but miscued his shot. The stalemate was broken four minutes from the break. Effiong freed Avila Perez on the right and the Spaniard found a way through before hitting low past Gabilondo Garcia.

Salinas was forced to make his first substitution before half-time when Jean Pierre Attard limped off injured. He was replaced by Karl Vella Petroni.

During the interval, Salinas effected his second change as Gribbon was replaced by Michael Valencia in a bid to boost Melita’s attacking game. However, the Amateurs’ plans were jolted a minute later when Borg was shown a red card for improper conduct.

The decision infuriated Salinas who rushed to the touchline to show his disapproval only to be dismissed by Pisani. For the Melita coach, this was the third time this season he had been ordered off the bench.

Despite being a man down, Melita threatened on 55 minutes when, from a Galea corner, Ivan Tufegdzic’s header flashed wide.

Qormi hit back when Grech’s inswinger found Roderick Sammut who headed just over.

The Yellow-Blacks doubled their lead on 75 minutes when, in a quick raid, Zarate freed Grech who beat Gabilondo Garcia with a firm drive.

Melita did manage to pull a goal back six minutes from time as Tufegdzic nodded the ball into the path of Galea who hit past Farrugia.

However, any hopes of a Melita comeback were soon dispelled as, three minutes from time, Grech was upended in the box by Sierra Camacho who earned his second booking and was dismissed. From the penalty, Effiong beat Gabilondo Garcia to pile more misery on the helpless Amateurs.

Melita
G. Gabilondo Garcia-5, M. Borg, L. Bianco-5, I. Tufegdzic-6, G. Gribbon-5 (46 M. Valenzia-5), M. Sierra Camacho, N. Rizzo-5.5 (65 A. Borg Olivier-5), J.P. Attard-5 (42 K. Vella Petroni-5), J. Galea-6, D. Cabanillas-5, L. Micallef-5.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, K. Thackray-6, R. Sammut-6.5, A. Effiong-6, M. Avila Perez-6.5 (84 D. Pirotta), L. Sciberras-6, M. Gauci-6 (57 A. Cassar-5.5), E. Bilbao Zarate-7 (81 J. Chetcuti), D. Pisani-6, J. Bondin-6.5, L. Grech-6.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Sierra Camacho; Vella Petroni; Cabanillas; Effiong.

Red cards: Borg (M) 47; Sierra Camacho (M) 87.

BOV player of the match: Leighton Grech (Qormi).