Mellieħa 0
Qormi 5
Qormi found little difficulty in cruising past Second Division side Mellieħa in a one-sided encounter which saw the Premier League side dominate from start to finish.
Stephen Azzopardi’s midfield was too strong even for the likes of experienced players such as Keith Fenech, William Borg and Glen Magri.
To make matters worse for Joe Bajada’s side they conceded a goal as early as the second minute when they handed Qormi a penalty.
This made Mellieħa very nervous with goalkeeper James Abela even committing several mistakes, although he did somehow make up with a couple of good saves. But unfortunately for his side damage was already done.
Qormi immediately forged ahead when they were awarded a penalty after only two minutes. Mellieħa’s Matthew Vella pushed Caio Garcia Suguino, who joined the Yellows this week, in the box and Joseph Farrugia scored without any difficulty from 11 metres.
Mellieħa responded in the eighth minute when Tiago Loquete missed the target by a whisker after a fine solo run.
Unfortunately the 27-year old Brazilian had to limp off early in the match and his absence was sorely felt by his side.
On 11 minutes, Qormi made it 2-0 when Jorginho slotted the ball home after Matthew Bartolo’s cross was fluffed by goalkeeper Abela.
Four minutes later Jorginho struck again when he headed home a Bartolo cross.
On 39 minutes, Qormi threatened again when Joseph Chetcuti hit the ball wide from close range following a good cross by Jorginho.
After the break, Qormi took the foot off the pedal but still continued to dicate matters.
On 49 minutes a Jorginho strike from outside the area finished inches wide.
But on the hour they managed to score a fourth when Siguino controlled well a Farrugia delivery to hit the ball home.
Jorginho completed his hat-trick on 69 minutes when he dashed inside the area and unleashed a powerful low drive that gave no chance to Abela.
With 12 minutes to go Qormi goalkeeper Steve Sultana denied Mellieħa a consolation goal when he dived at full stretch as he kept out a Philip Taylor drive from outside the box.
Two minutes later substitute Mauro Calleja drove the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Mellieħa: J. Abela; M. Vella, W. Buttigieg, D. Cauchi, B. Bartolo, K. Gauci, W. Borg, K. Fenech, G. Magri (73 K. Simiana), R. Perkins (61 M. Calleja), T. Loquete (36 P. Taylor).
Qormi: S. Sultana; R. Sammut, M. Bartolo, J. Chetcuti, J. Farrugia (71 R. Buhagiar), L. Sciberras, F. Mirarchi (65 C. Farrugia), Jorginho, J. Bondin, C. Garcia Siguino (74 C. Sammut), T. Caruana.
Referee: Paul Caruana.