Going high... Pembroke’s Gibson Bardsley heads the ball after pulling clear of Qormi’s Noah Ojuola. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Pembroke Athleta 0
Qormi 0

This stalemate will have pleased Qormi more than Pembroke.

A slow-paced and largely sloppy game saw Pembroke manufacture the better moves and chances but their efforts were undermined by a series of smart saves from Qormi goalkeeper Jean Mathias Vella and wayward finishing with striker Gibson Bardsley, who otherwise had a positive outing, squandering at least two clear opportunities in the second half.

Qormi only threatened on the periphery, namely from corners as Carlo Monti’s deliveries unhinged the Pembroke defence in which Owen Bugeja was a tenacious figure, but their overall performance left a lot to be desired.

Certainly, one expects a lot better from a team that is fighting for dear life in the top flight.

New signing Djamel Leeflang was given his debut by Qormi coach Johann Scicluna as the Dutch forward, who had a short stint with Valletta last season, stepped in for the injured Terence Vella.

Leeflang positioned himself behind Swedish striker Alex Nilsson in Scicluna’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Pembroke’s tactical approach was the same as Qormi’s with Ariel Laudisi, Gustavo Villalobos and Austin Marz playing in support of striker Bardsley after the attacking quartet had combined so well in the 2-0 win over Valletta before the international break.

In the early stages, Qormi’s Jean Mathias Vella was called upon to repel a dangerous Laudisi effort after the Argentine winger had cut into the box from the left.

Pembroke continued to fashion the better chances. Paltemio Barbetti slipped an inviting ball into the path of Bardsley but his attempt was blocked.

From the ensuing action, Laudisi again made a rapid incursion into the box to create a one-on-one situation but his low strike drew another fine save from Vella.

The pace of Laudisi and Martz ensured that Pembroke carried a constant threat in the wide areas. On one occasion, Martz raced clear on the right before crossing for Bardsley who hit wide.

Qormi began to show signs of life as the first half progressed. They had a great chance to take the lead when Monti’s corner was met by Noah Ojuola but his downward header sailed over the crossbar.

On 25 minutes, Barbetti’s through-ball dropped at the feet of the advancing Bardsley who was anticipated by the on-rushing Vella. The keeper miscued his first clearance but he was first to the loose ball to avert the danger.

For much of the opening 40 minutes, Qormi were a disjointed lot, tame and short of creativity.

On the stroke of half-time, Gauci’s corner unsettled Pembroke as his cross whizzed across the face of goal.

At the other end, Bugeja capitalised on a short clearance but his firm drive whistled past the post.

Steve Agius came on for Billy Berntsson at the start of the second half.

Qormi threatened when Kurt Magro let fly a rising shot that flew marginally wide of the far post.

By way of reply, Bardsley headed straight at Vella from a cross by Kyle O’Brien, one of the best players on the pitch. Bardsley then caught the eye with a dashing run that took him past a posse of black-shirted players but his shot was easily dealt with by Vella.

The second half continued on the same lines with Muscat’s men playing the better football. Laudisi should have put Pembroke ahead but headed wide from Bardsley’s cross.

Pembroke’s difficulties in defending set-pieces were evident when, on the hour, Monti’s cross was met by Gauci but he headed over. The erstwhile subdued Nilsson drove wide after receiving from Leeflang.

The Reds remained the more dangerous side but spurned a gilt-edged chance to seize the lead. Leighton Grech, who had just come on for Laudisi, played a good pass to Villalobos who promptly freed Bardsley but the latter rifled wide with only Vella to beat.

In a swift counter-attack, Nilsson broke clear and traded quick passes with Monti who darted into the Pembroke box only to be dispossessed by the back-tracking Martz.

Pembroke had a late chance to clinch the points as substitute Siraj Arab aimed a crisp pass towards Grech who blasted wide.

Pembroke Athleta
M. Muscat-5.5, G. Villalobos-6.5, P. Barbetti-6 (82 S. Arab), A. Laudisi-6 (65 L. Grech-5.5), G. Bardsley-6, A. Martz-5, A. Cini-5.5, P. Shereni-6, M. Attard-6, K. O’Brien-7.5, O. Bugeja-6.

Qormi
J.M. Vella-7, A. Cassar-5, O. Sidibe-6.5, N. Ojuola-6, B. Berntsson-4 (46 S. Agius-4), D. Leeflang-5, C. Gauci-5.5, K. Magro-5.5 (83 Y. Yankam), C. Monti-6 (87 P. Viggiani), E. Vella-5, A. Nilsson-5.5.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Sidibe; Magro; J.M. Vella; Arab.

BOV player of the match: Ariel Laudisi (Pembroke Athleta).