NAXXAR LIONS 1 QORMI 3

Qormi registered a second convincing victory in three days, reigniting their championship pool bid.

Yet, three goals inside the first 20 minutes laid the ground work for Qormi’s success.

Tommaso Volpi’s side had a roaring start and they swarmed around the Lions for an apparent search of an early goal which arrived after only four minutes. Angus Buhagiar gave a way a penalty in a bid to stop the newcomer Issaka, grabbing his shirt and wrestling him to the ground. Roderick Bajada drilled his penalty into the low right-hand corner.

Naxxar were clearly struggling at the back and eight minutes later, Effiong made it 2-0. The Nigerian received the ball on the edge of the box, he sped through, rounded the onrushing Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar goalkeeper and deposited the ball into an empty net.

From then on, Qormi were in command as Effiong turned provider on 20 minutes to set up Gianluca Nucera who lashed the ball past Azzopardi.

But Qormi’s three-goal cushion was short-lived as, within five minutes of Nucera’s goal, Naxxar reduced the arrears. Gilmar produced some deft footwork to progress on the left flank before Italian defender Marco Petrassi deflected the Brazilian’s effort into his own net.

Qormi seemed momentarily rattled as Naxxar galvanised by their goal, moved forward with great purpose but Volpi’s troop held on to take full points.