Qormi 3
Camilo 57; Farrugia 79; Giglio 83
Sliema Wanderers 0

A hotly disputed second-half penalty paved the way for Qormi to grab a comfortable victory over Sliema Wanderers yesterday.

Sliema goalkeeper Simon Agius appeared to win the ball in a challenge with Qormi striker Alfred Effiong. But referee Marco Borg concluded it was a foul and Camilo smashed it home from the spot. From then onwards, it was all plain-sailing for Qormi as Camilo played in Joseph Farrugia on 79 minutes and Stefan Giglio sealed the points seven minutes from time.

The result left Qormi and Sliema Wanderers sharing third spot on 30 points and both teams will have to play a decider for a place in next season's Europa League if Valletta go on and win the cup competition.

Qormi had made all the early running, winning a succession of corners and drawing an excellent save from Agius as he blocked Camilo's volley that looped ominously towards goal within the first 10 minutes.

On the quarter-hour mark, Joseph Farrugia flighted the ball over the Sliema wall, running in on the far post was Ramon who rose high to connect with the ball only to see his effort sail wide of the upright.

By the midway point of the first half, Sliema gathered a head of steam, demonstrating wonderful individual play allied to a great collective ethic. In the 24th minute, Clayton Failla unleashed a low drive from the edge of the box that Matthew Farrugia dived full length to save.

A few moments later, Farrugia spilled a shot from Ivan Woods that he should have held on to and was fortunate to see the loose ball cleared by Stephen Wellman.

With Sliema enjoying most of the possession and passing the ball around confidently,Vince Carbornaro resorted to a very efficient long-ball game in bid to outplay Sliema's packed midfield.

Qormi's tactics almost paid instant dividends when Agius made an excellent save to tip Effiong's header on to the bar after a Joseph Farrugia free-kick.

Qormi started the second half brightly as Sliema had another lucky escape on 51 minutes when Effiong put a free header straight at Agius from Bartolo's cross.

But then seven minutes later came the key moment of the match. As Effiong surged down the left side of the area, the onrushing Agius slid in to collect the ball, sending the striker sprawling in the process. The Sliema keeper appeared to win the ball in the challenge with the Nigerian player. But the referee concluded it was a foul and Camilo smashed it home from the spot.

The Sliema fans, frustrated by their team's lack of penetration, had been demanding the introduction of Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, and he duly arrived with 24 minutes left in place of Julio Alcorse. Seconds later, Ryan Fenech's free-kick left the crossbar shaking as the ball bounced off the bar to safety.

Mark Marlow's side threw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser but they were stunned by a magnificent strike by Farrugia.

The clock marked 79 minutes, when a superb Massimo Grima pass caught the Sliema defence napping and Camilo collected the ball on the right flank, and he waltzed his way through the Wanderers defence before playing in Farrugia who fired home with an unstoppable finish.

With Sliema in disarray, it was no surprise when substitute Giglio added a third that sealed the points. Effiong made a mazy run into the Sliema area but his shot was parried by Agius into the path of Giglio for a simple third four minutes from time.

After the final whistle, Josef Mifsud got involved in verbal exchange with the referee which earned him a second yellow card followed by a red.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, D. Pisani-6, R. Dos Santos-6.5, M. Grima-6, M. Bartolo-6.5 ('68 S. Giglio), K. Fenech-6.5 ('83 K .Spiteri), A. Effiong-8, J. Farrugia-7, Camilo-7, S. Wellman-6, R. Sammut-6 ('89 R. Deguara).

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius-5, A. Muscat-5, I. Azzopardi-5, J. Mifsud, R. Fenech-5.5, M. Scerri-5, I. Woods-5, L. Dronca-5.5, J. Alcorse-6 ('66 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5), J. Mintoff-6.5, C. Failla-6 ('83 Pedrinho).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow Cards: Scerri, Wellman, Muscat, Agius, Mifsud, Woods, Failla.

Red card: Josef Mifsud (S) 90.

BOV Player of the match: Alfred Effiong (Qormi).

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