Ħamrun Spartans 2
Spiteri 20,Vella 57
Qormi 6
Avila Perez 22, 25, 44,Bondin 50, Effiong 61, 62
Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez hit a hat-trick inside 22 minutes to pile more misery on ailing Ħamrun Spartans as they claimed their third consecutive win in the relegation pool by thumping their derby rivals 6-2.
The Spanish forward’s goals arrived before half-time and, by that point, it was clear this was the kind of mismatch already seen in the Premier League this season when Ħamrun have been involved.
Qormi coach Jesmond Zerafa continued to rotate his goalkeepers as Steve Sultana started ahead of Matthew Farrugia and Joseph Chetcuti also reclaimed his place in the starting XI at the expense of Duncan Pisani.
Ħamrun’s initial XI featured three changes from the 3-1 defeat to Rabat as Stefan Sultana picked four attack-minded players in his team as Terence Scerri, Terence Vella, Ryan Spiteri and Emiliano Lattes were granted licence to swap positions in pursuit of openings in the Qormi defence.
It was Qormi who created the first chance when Leighton Grech’s floated pass from the right flank set Joseph Chetcuti on a run but Anthony Curmi did well to tip around the post the latter’s effort.
However, it was the Reds who struck first.
Some persistent play from Ryan Spiteri produced the opener for Ħamrun as the nippy striker pounced on a short clearance by Roderick Sammut and his grounder went into the bottom corner.
Yet the atmosphere on the Ħamrun stand soon muted as Qormi levelled matters two minutes later.
Alfred Effiong stood out for the frequency with which he bewildered the Ħamrun reaguard.
The Nigerian served Edison Bilbao Zarate whose low shot was pushed away by Curmi but in came Avila Perez to poke home from the rebound.
Qormi struck again on 25 minutes. Jonathan Bondin’s through-ball freed the Spanish forward who beat Curmi from close in.
On the half hour Sultana was forced to make a change as Roderick Fenech limped out injured and was replaced by Ayrton Micallef.
Four minutes later, goalkeeper Curmi kept Ħamrun’s heads above water with a fine save from Avila Perez drive. However, the Spartans custodian could do nothing to stop Qormi from hitting their third goal two minutes before half-time.
Ħamrun conceded a penalty after Curmi tripped Effiong in the box and Avila Perez made no mistake from the spot to complete his hat-trick.
There was no reprieve for the confused Spartans after the break. Close to the 50th minute mark, Curmi repelled a strong Kris Thackray’s free-kick but the loose ball flew to Bondin who prodded the ball in from close-range.
Terrence Vella had the consolation of getting his name on the scoresheet as his shot from a tight angle stunned Qormi goalkeeper Steve Sultana.
Vella’s goal failed to revive the Spartans as Qormi scored his their fifth on the hour mark.
Fastening on to an accurate pass from Bondin, Effiong outpaced the Spartans defe-nce before hitting the ball into the top corner.
Qormi’s onslaught continued a minute later when the Nigerian concluded a flowing move involving Grech and Avila Perez with a rasping shot that finished behind the onrushing Curmi.
Unsurprisingly, Qormi eased up as the second half wore on as given the four-goal salvo, coach Zerafa opted to give home-grown players Shamison Zammit and Gillmore Azzopardi added experience in the Premier League.
But Scerri refused to give up even in the face of impossible odds and at death he hit the woodwork with a fine shot.
Ħamrun Spartans: A. Curmi-6, G. Azzopardi-4, L. Grech-4 (77 M. Busuttil), D. Camilleri-5, B. Guga-4 (63 M. Grima-3), R. Fenech (31 A. Micallef-4), T. Scerri-5, R. Spiteri-6, G. Favero-5, E. Lattes-5, T. Vella-6.
Qormi: S. Sultana-5, K. Thackray-6, R. Sammut-6, A. Effiong-7, J. Chetcuti-6 (63 C. Cassar-4), M. Avila Perez-7.5, L. Sciberras-6, M. Gauci-5.5, E. Bilboa Zarate-6.5 (83 G. Azzopardi), J. Bondin-7, L. Grech-7 (75 S. Zammit).
Referee Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow cards Leighton Grech, Sammut.
BOV player of the match Moises Avila Perez (Qormi).