Marsaxlokk 1
Pedrozo 32;
Qormi 2
Jorginho 38; Caruana 45;
Qormi came back from a goal down to edge past 10-man Marsaxlokk and finish their first phase commitments on a winning note but the three points gained were not enough to earn them a place in the Championship Pool.
Qormi had to work harder than expected to overcome Marsaxlokk who played most of the match with 10 men.
Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, effected two changes from the team that beat Pietà in the Trophy as Kenneth Scicluna was recalled to the starting formation at the expense of Kris Thackray.
With Abubakar Bello-Osagie (injured) and Joseph Chetcuti (suspended) out, Stephen Wellman was deployed up front with Jorginho and Matthew Bartolo on the wings.
Marsaxlokk coach Anton Cremona rang the changes after his team’s crushing defeat to Ħamrun a fortnight ago.
Modesto Valeriani and Sunday Eboh were back in the starting formation at the expense of Patrick Borg and the injured Craig Debattista.
Qormi were soon on the offensive. After four minutes, Jorginho saw his shot blocked by goalkeeper Christian Cassar and Eboh’s half clearance fell to Wellman who fired over. Four minutes later, Cassar distinguished himself when he kept out Joseph Farrugia’s inswinger from a free-kick.
Marsaxlokk threatened on 10 minutes. Peter Oladotun’s menacing ball forced goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia to dive at the feet of Alex Pedrozo before the Qormi defence cleared.
The seasiders’ hopes suffered a blow on 22 minutes when Templeman received his second yellow card after a foul on Wellman. From the ensuing free-kick, Farrugia’s drive skimmed the upright.
Qormi protested for a penalty as Eboh looked to have controlled the ball with his hand but referee Malcolm Spiteri waved play on. Qormi were growing in confidence and on 27 minutes Bartolo’s volley finished just over.
However, against the run of play, it was Marsaxlokk who took the lead. From a quick break, Oladotun outmuscled Jonathan Bondin before serving Pedrozo who beat Farrugia with a firm grounder.
Stung by this goal, Qormi threw more men forward and drew level seven minutes from the break when Farrugia chipped the ball towards Jorginho who blasted home.
Two minutes from half-time, Wellman should have put Qormi in front but failed to make contact with Jorginho’s perfect cross.
Qormi managed to go in for the break in the driving seat as, in time added on, Jorginho’s corner was not cleared, the ball broke to Wellman who set up Triston Caruana for a clinical finish.
The second half saw Qormi hold the initiative and Marsaxlokk defend stoutly. Despite dominating possession, Qormi were struggling to create clear openings. And on 55 minutes, Farrugia had to charge out of goal to block Nemanja Stoskovic who was put through by Jean Paul Farrugia.
Qormi’s first real attempt at goal after the break came on 62 minutes when Bartolo burst into the area but his shot on the run finished wide.
Three minutes later, Qormi missed a glorious chance to increase their lead when Jorginho fed Farrugia inside the area. The Qormi captain quickly squared the ball to Wellman who incredibly hit wide.
Qormi almost paid dearly for this miss as, on 66 minutes, Oladotun powered through from the right channel before sending a dangerous cross which was providentially cleared away for a corner by Vincent Kouadio.
Marsaxlokk almost grabbed an equaliser on 77 minutes when Stoskovic’s delivery picked the unmarked Farrugia but the Malta U-21 striker headed wide.
Jorginho came close to sealing the match for Qormi with a spectacular volley that brought the best out of Cassar on 85 minutes.
Marsaxlokk
C. Cassar-7.5, M. Valeriani-6, C. Brincat-6 (85 S. Borg), T. Templeman, J. Brincat-5, N. Stoskovic-6.5, S. Eboh-5.5, J.P. Farrugia-6, G. Caruana-6 (70 L. Agius), P. Oladotun-7 (90 G. Buttigieg), A. Pedrozo-6.5.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, M. Bartolo-6, J. Farrugia-7.5, L. Sciberras-5, K. Scicluna-6, F. Mirarchi-6, Jorginho-7, J. Bondin-6, T. Caruana-6.5, S. Wellman-4 (83 G. Chircop), V. Kouadio-6.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow cards: Templeman; Eboh; J. Farrugia; Oladotun; C. Brincat.
Red card: Templeman (M) 22.
BOV player of the match: Joseph Farrugia (Q).Attendance 739.