QORMI 5 VITTORIOSA 1

A comprehensive 5-1 win over Vittoriosa maintained Qormi’s revival.

Qormi received an early boost as they took the lead on seven minutes. Alfred Effiong took advantage of a defensive slip by Vella Critien who miscued his attempt to clear Leighton Grech’s cross as the Nigerian accelerated into the box before prodding past Mario Muscat, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper.

Unimpressed with his team’s first-half showing, Spiteri introduced Clive Spiteri and Siraj Arab for Leonardo Torri and Michael Camilleri respectively but Vittoriosa’s afternoon took a turn for the worse three minutes into the second half when Jorginho powered home a header from Vella’s cross.

Another spell of pressure by Qormi culminated in a third goal on 63 minutes. It was Jorginho who punished more hesitant defending by Vittoriosa. Ousmane Sidibe was shown a straight red card for hauling down the Brazilian who raced onto a throughball by Simone Quinteri. Jorginho picked himself up to score from the rebound after having his spot kick effort partially saved by Muscat.

In the 72nd minute, Grech was granted freedom to tear up and down right wing, played one-two with Quinteri before his rising shot had the better of Muscat. Four-nil soon became 5-0 as, barely a minute later, Grech was again through on goal before skipping past the on-rushing Muscat to sidefooting home.

Vittoriosa responded immediately when Gilbert Martin orchestrated the Stars’ consolation goal on 76 minutes. The nippy winger embarked on a diagonal run on the right before slipping a through ball to Marcelo Pereira who slotted home from close-range.

The cushion advantage also prompted Karel Zeman to withdraw Quinteri and Effiong ahead of next Wednesday’s FA trophy semi-final against Sliema Wanderers.