Qormi’s Alfred Effiong (left) and Mark Scerri, of Sliema Wanderers, trying to muscle their way through during yesterday’s match at the National Stadium. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Qormi 1
Temile 70;
Sliema Wanderers 3
Bocar 24; Scerri 62; Friggieri 72;

Ravaged by injuries to key players, Sliema still produced an efficient display and backed by a sound defensive base they stopped the slump after three consecutive defeats including an early elimination from the FA Trophy.

Pride of place in the Blues’ success goes to John Mintoff.

His effective roaming on the right flank put him well above the others yesterday. But, Sliema also banked on a solid collective platform in midfield, well marshalled by Mark Scerri.

Josef Mansueto’s resources at Qormi were hampered by the suspension of Maurizio Mazzetti, Zoran Levnaic and Bjorn Bondin.

Roderick Sammut, Steve Agius and Albert Bruce filled their void while Ryan Micallef and Pietro Viggiani deputised for Joseph Chetcuti and Emerson Vella who started on the bench.

Three of the five changes in Sliema’s starting XI were enforced on Stephen Azzopardi by the suspension of Fabio Mangiacasale, and injuries to Michael Mifsud and Andrea Scozzese.

Scerri and Andrea Pisanu, back from a lay-off, alleviated Sliema’s midfield problems.

Guy Gnabouyou was drafted back in the starting formation while young Aiden Friggieri got the nod ahead of Clive Psaila.

Neither team had threatened until half-way through the opening period when Sliema got the breakthrough courtesy of a devastating run by Djumo Bocar.

The Portuguese striker swept past Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia and rolled his effort goalwards. Steve Agius ran back and tried to stop the shot from reaching the back of the net but additional referee Sandro Spiteri deemed the ball had already crossed the line and referee Lasha Silagava awarded the goal.

Sliema’s performance early on was unspectacular but efficient as they made the most of the only chance that came their way.

Qormi started to move forward with purpose though. Past the half-hour mark, Alfred Effiong dispossessed Beppe Muscat on the edge of the penalty area but his shot was repelled by Glenn Zammit. The rebound fell at the feet of Viggiani whose shot was blocked by Mintoff.

The Wanderers’ lead was too slender to give them any comfort but Azzopardi’s men were unable to impose their superiority after the break.

On 58 minutes Micallef retrieved possession in midfield and an inviting chance beckoned for Qormi.

Substitute Joseph Chetcuti, on for Viggiani, chested the ball down for Effiong but the Nigerian miscued his shot.

Then, a few minutes later, Sliema doubled their lead.

Mintoff should claim most of the credit as he left his marker chasing shadows before serving Gnabouyou with a cute chip of the ball. Farrugia could only partially save the shot and Scerri ruthlessly hammered an unstoppable drive into an open net for the Blues to go 2-0 up.

Qormi were still active in attack as Micallef’s raking shot-cum-cross from the left flashed across the face of goal where Frank Temile was on hand to push the ball over the line to halve his team’s deficit.

But the Wanderers were rewarded for their fine showing only two minutes later.

Friggieri hit a swerving drive from outside the Qormi penalty area that gave Farrugia no chance to stop.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-5.5, A. Bruce-5, R. Sammut-6, P. Viggiani-5 (55 J. Chetcuti-5), S. Agius-5.5 (78 A. Cassar), A. Effiong-6, F. Temile-5, R. Micallef-6 (81 C. Farrugia), D. Pisani-5.5, J. Bondin-5, Anderson-5.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, M. Scerri-7, D. Bocar-7, A. Pisanu-6 (65 P. Xuereb-5), G. Gna-bouyou-5, J. Mintoff-7.5, T. Cilia-6, M. Potezica-6, A. Friggieri-6.5 (85 F. Talato), B. Muscat-5 (53 L. Martinelli-6), S. Bianciardi-6.

Referee: Lasha Silagava (Georgia FA).

Yellow cards: Micallef, Scerri, Cilia, Temile.

BOV player of the match: Mark Scerri (Sliema Wanderers).