QORMI-2, VITTORIOSA STARS-2
Qormi showed commendable fighting spirit as they gained a point from their clash with Vittoriosa Stars despite playing the last 30 minutes of a keenly-contested match with 10 men.
Goals from Cleaven Frendo and Ben Camilleri either side of half-time had put Qormi ahead after Vittoriosa had taken an early lead through Anthony Ewurum but Kang Hojung’s dismissal on 61 minutes undermined the Yellow-Blacks’ task.
Vittoriosa exploited their numerical advantage when Edison levelled matters but Qormi held firm in the final 15 minutes to preserve the stalemate.
Ewurum went close after three minutes when Vittoriosa’s Nigerian forward powered his way into the box but sent his shot over the bar.
Vittoriosa’s livelier start yielded a goal after 13 minutes. Brazilian Edison tricked his way past Michael Borg Oliver and Hojung before releasing Ewurum who turned well before firing a shot that deflected off Joseph Farrugia as it sailed past the wrong-footed Matthew Farrugia and into the net.
Shaken by Vittoriosa’s early breakthrough, Qormi took a while to get going. Farrugia produced a speculative shot from the distance but his effort was well off target.
At the other end, Vittoriosa’s Leighton Grech, back after serving a one-match ban in the 3-2 loss to Valletta, swept into the Qormi box but flicked the ball wide.
The final 20 minutes of the first half were marked by a drought of scoring chances but when it looked as though Vittoriosa would go in for the break with a 1-0 lead, Qormi equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Farrugia was the provider as his measured pass from midfield soared above the retreating Vittoriosa defenders and towards Frendo who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Simon Agius and into the net.
Boosted by their equaliser, Qormi stormed into Vittoriosa at the start of the second half. Matthew Bartolo went close with a swerving shot but five minutes after the restart, Qormi surged ahead. Running on to another brilliant pass from Farrugia, Camilleri advanced before lobbing the ball over Agius.
The exchanges became more physical as the second half moved. The tension on the pitch was evident as Kang Hojung was cautioned after squaring up to Edison and, minutes later, Sharlon Pace and Frendo almost came to blows after the former had blocked a run by the Qormi winger. Once again, referee Zammit opted to caution only one of the two sinners, showing the yellow card to Pace.
Vittoriosa gained a boost on 61 minutes when Hojung was sent off after receiving a second booking for time-wasting.
Jorge Silva hit a post for Vittoriosa Stars and, on another occasion, Giglio blocked a dangerous effort by Xerri. Vittoriosa drew level 16 minutes from time, Edison heading home from Leighton Grech’s cross.
On the stroke of time, Jorge Silva drove forward on the right before slipping a low cross into the six-yard box but Edison’s flick was inches wide.
The Brazilian threatened again in stoppage time as his strong drive from an angled position ended just wide of the far post.
Vittoriosa’s Edison was voted BOV player of the match.