Qormi 4
Vittoriosa 2
Mallia and Anthony Ewurum both scored twice in a pulsating match as Qormi came from behind to earn a first league win of the season.
The Vittoriosa forward line combine impressively as the Stars took a well-merited lead through Anthony Ewurum after 16 minutes.
George Mallia, Qormi possess a midfield goalscorer with the knack of arriving on cue as he stormed into the box to head in a Joseph Farrugia free-kick to level for Qormi after 29 minutes.
Qormi might have had a second soon after, but Simon Agius blocked a powerful header by Kosta Bjedov on the 34th minute.Two minutes later, Joseph Farrugia fired a wickedly swerving free kick past the hapless Agius to double Qormi’s lead.
At this point, Vittoriosa were forced to mount a rearguard action but were also showing attacking ambition to threaten Stephen Azzopardi’s side.
Luis Edison headed onto the bar with Farrugia stranded and Cachia after being served by Pierre Aquilina and Cachia was denied by Farrugia’s legs before Qormi grabbed their third on the 45th minute. Vittoriosa’s inability to deal with set-pieces came to the fore again as Cleaven Frendo’s corner found the unmarked Mallia at the back post and the midfielder leap above the Vittoriosa to head home.
Vittoriosa could have felt hard done by going into the break two goals down, but they reduced the deficit soon after the re-start thanks to Ewurum, who made the most of Qormi’s inability to clear the ball.
The Stars took confidence by Ewurum’s lifeline and surged forward as they attempted to reverse the deficit. On 58 minutes, Ewurum picked up the ball from Luis Edison before driving in a fierce low shot which Farrugia parried with difficulty.
It was a game brimming with excitement and end-to-end football. But just as Vittoriosa prepared for a rousing finale, Qormi finished the game off with a lethal potency on the counter-attack.
On the 82nd minute, Stefan Giglio blocked brilliantly Ewurum and as the ball was swiftly moved forward into midfield, Matthew Bartolo’s brilliant run ended with Kosta Bjedov firing powerfully past Agius as Sharlon Pace lost his footing.