Qormi striker Ryan Micallef (no. 18) tries a shot at goal against Żebbuġ. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Żebbuġ Rangers 1
Monti 61 pen;
Qormi 1
Micallef 71;

There was a festive atmosphere at the Hibs Stadium yesterday as neighbouring rivals Qormi and Żebbuġ Rangers went head to head in their first top-flight derby for more than 30 years.

After 90 minutes of combative fare, the two teams and their vociferous fans left Corradino comforted by the knowledge that they had not ceded bragging rights to their rivals as they took a point each in a one-all draw.

As was to be expected, this clash was a tight affair with Qormi, who were on a three-match winning run, holding the initiative and Żebbuġ striving to stay compact at the back and operate with counter-attacks as they looked to end their drought in the Premier League.

Alfonso Greco, taking charge of his first game since replacing Jesmond Zammit as Żebbuġ coach, will have been pleased with his team’s gutsy showing while Qormi’s reaction after falling behind will have lifted Josef Mansueto as the Yellow-Blacks made it four games without a defeat.

In a gesture of friendship, the two teams threw flowers to the opposing fans before kick-off.

Frank Temile was a notable absentee from Qormi’s squad with Ryan Micallef deputising for the Nigerian winger. The former Rabat Ajax striker took up an attacking position alongside Alfred Effiong as Mansueto opted for 3-4-1-2.

Greco’s first selection as Żebbuġ coach featured four changes from the 1-0 defeat to Pietà as defender Javier Diaz Serrano and Clifford Gauci returned from suspension while Jacob Borg and Matthew Bartolo were handed starting roles.

Tactics-wise, the Rangers started in 4-3-3 fashion with Bartolo and Carlo Monti playing either side of Brazilian forward Mauricio Britto.

Żebbuġ created the first opportunity on 15 minutes when Borg’s right-wing cross was met by Britto but his downward header was saved by Matthew Farrugia.

The game showed signs of coming to life as Qormi’s Anderson went close with an angled grounder that grazed the far post.

Qormi created an even better chance midway into the first half when Joseph Chetcuti squared to Micallef but the latter’s effort hit the side-netting.

A minute short of the half-hour, the Rangers were caught out on the counter as Micallef supplied an excellent through-ball to Anderson who sprinted towards goal but Serrano managed to dispossess him.

Creative football was a rare commodity for much of the opening half.

On 40 minutes, Żebbuġ had a good chance to break the stalemate.

After repelling another Qormi corner, the loose ball fell to Bartolo who belted it forward, inviting Monti to race clear after holding off Bruce but the Scottish forward elected to shoot instead of passing to Muchardi and his effort ended wide.

Greco’s men were now finding more space on the counter by playing vertical balls over the top of Qormi’s defence. This was evident when Monti’s dipping pass from midfield soared above Zoran Levnaic and into the path of Britto who blasted wide.

Chetcuti, who had picked up a knock early in the game, made way for Bjorn Bondin at the start of the second half with Anderson moving further upfield.

Felipe Morales, Żebbuġ’s Brazilian goalkeeper, blocked a long-range drive from Micallef who had veered infield from the right.

Żebbuġ secured a boost thanks to Monti’s persistence on the hour. The Scot looked to have been anticipated by Mazzetti but as the latter dithered near the byline, Monti nipped in only to end on the turf after a challenge by the Argentine.

Referee Chris Lautier pointed to the spot and Monti dispatched his penalty past Farrugia, sparking euphoric scenes among the Rangers fans.

The Qormi fans were livid. To add to their disappointment, their team were unlucky not to equalise as Bondin’s low strike rolled against the post.

It was not long before Qormi equalised. With 19 minutes left, Mazzetti’s central free-kick took a deflection and Micallef was on hand to ram the loose ball home.

A cross by the incoming Steve Agius skimmed the crossbar before Micallef spurned a great chance to hit the winner, flicking wide from close range after being released by Effiong.

Żebbuġ Rangers
F.R. Morales-6.5, J.D. Serrano-7, M. Muchardi-7, C. Monti-7 (90 L.J. Agius), M.R. Britto-6 (85 B. Mamic), J. Borg-6.5, M. Gauci-6, M. Bartolo-6.5, C. Gauci-6, T. Paris-6 (78 M. Farrugia), Y. Camilleri-6.5.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, A. Bruce-5.5, M. Mazzetti-5.5, J. Chetcuti-6.5 (46 B. Bondin-6.5), A. Effiong-6, R. Micallef-7, E. Vella-6 (85 S. Agius), Z. Levnaic-6.5, D. Pisani-7, J. Bondin-6.5, Anderson-6.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Gauci; Vella; Camilleri; Mazzetti; Serrano.

BOV player of the match: Carlo Monti (Żebbuġ).

Standings