TARXIEN RAINBOWS-2, QORMI-6
Qormi obtained their first win of the season after trouncing Tarxien Rainbows 6-2.
Desperate to end their negative start to the 2013/14 Premier League trek, Qormi raced into a three-goal half-time lead before Tarxien threatened a fightback after narrowing the deficit early in the second half.
A fourth goal for Qormi and second for Alfred Effiong ended Tarxien’s resistance as the Yellow-Blacks, under the guidance of Italian coach Tommaso Volpi, went on to press home their supremacy with two more goals.
The game was only 48 seconds old when Qormi took the lead in somewhat bizarre circumstances.
Innocenti’s drive from the distance looked to pose no particular threat but Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella collided with Qormi winger Leighton Grech and the ball rolled into the net.
Tarxien took their time to get going. They created their first chance after 10 minutes when Everton sent in a fine cross from the left but Jorge flicked wide at the far post.7 Qormi remained dangerous on the counter. On 12 minutes, Francesco D’Aniello stormed into the box but his attempt was temporarily repelled by Fernando Lopes. The loose broke to Gianluca Nucera who blasted high and wide from close in.
Tarxien went close when Everton’s cross was met Santos Silva but the latter’s header was saved by Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper.
Midway into the first half, Ryan Sammut fired over from an inviting position.
Qormi doubled their advantage on 26 minutes. D’Aniello was the provider with an excellent cross from the right and defender Owen Bugeja sent a glancing header past Vella.
Things got worse for Tarxien who conceded a third four minutes from half-time.
Innocenti supplied a through-ball to Effiong who raced into the box and fired past Vella from a tight angle.
Inside the opening two minutes of the second half, Carlo Mamo, who had just replaced Sammut, produced a low shot that was saved by Farrugia.
Nine minutes into the second half, Tarxien reduced the arrears thanks to Ronaille who slammed past Farrugia after a lapse in concentration by the Qormi defenders.
Bolstered by their goal, Tarxien upped their efforts but their momentum was jolted when Qormi restored their three-goal lead on 61 minutes.
Grech embarked on a powerful run on the right wing before hitting a cross towards the far post where Effiong headed past Vella.
Three minutes later, Qormi went 5-1 ahead. They won a penalty after Manuel Caruana brought down Effiong in the box. Roderick Bajada, who was facing his former team-mates, made no mistake from the spot.
With 16 minutes remaining, Qormi struck their sixth thanks to Grech who again stormed clear of the Tarxien defenders before hitting past Vella.
Three minutes from time, Tarxien scored a consolation goal. Luca Martinelli freed Jorge in the box and the Brazilian drove past Farrugia from close range.