Qormi threw the relegation wide open when they came from a goal down to rush Naxxar Lions 5-1 in a one-sided encounter at the Tedesco Stadium.

It was Naxxar who made the brighter start and took the lead on 21 minutes. Daren Falzon released Andrew Decesare on the left channel and the Lions winger immediately sent a teasing cross inside the area and Gilmar was on hand to head the ball past Qormi goalkeeper Farrugia.Qormi slowly grew in stature and they managed to draw level on 36 minutes.

Alfred Effiong won a free-kick in a central position a few metres outside the area. Jorginho stepped up for the kick and the Brazilian hit a curling drive that flew past the diving Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar goalkeeper.In the second half, Qormi took charge of the match.

The Yellow-Blacks were regaled with a second goal on 56 minutes when Andre Rocha Da Silva’s attempt to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper went horribly wrong as he completely miscued the ball with Effiong quickly retrieving possession and he powered his way forward before hitting a firm drive past Azzopardi.

The Lions were rattled and five minutes later Effiong embarked on a mazy run that took him past two defenders before hitting a low drive past Azzopardi.

Qormi were not finished yet as three minutes later Effiong exchanged the ball with Jorginho to dash into the area before he pulled the ball back to his striker partner who kept his cool to stab the ball into the net.

More woes followed for Naxxar as on 68 minutes they were reduced to ten men when Decesare was shown a second yellow card after he hit Leighton Grech with his arm in an attempt to block the Qormi winger’s run.

Effiong completed his hat-trick nine minutes from time when in another surging break he moved past Thiago before lobbing the ball past Azzopardi.