Qormi ended the season on a rather positive note as they registered a fine 5-2 win over Hibernians in the last game from the Relegation Pool. A win which enabled them to overtake the Paolites and finish eighth.
On the other hand, for Hibernians, it was the final act of a most disappointing season in which they ended second from bottom in the table.
The Paolites had a number of changes due to the absence of Ryan Camilleri, Bjorn Kristensen, Jonathan Pearson, Jean Paul Farrugia, Steve Pisani, Brian Fairbairn, Abdelilah Taki, Paul McManus, Daniel Balzan and the suspended Matt Clarke and Richie Hart. Matthew Farrugia, Stefan Giglio, Jonathan Bondin, Michael Mifsud, Abubakar Bello-Osagie and George Mallia were missing for Qormi.
Qormi took the lead on the 13th minute when off a Joseph Farrugia corner from the left, Jason Vandelannoite headed the ball home past goalkeeper Mario Muscat.
Two mintues later, Cleavon Frendo went close with a freekick from the left ending just wide. On 24 minutes, off a Rene Duca cross from the right, Edward Herrera headed the ball down for Andrew Cohen whose low drive scraped past the post.
Qormi doubled the score on 34 minutes thanks to a great rising shot by Cleavon Frendo from the right which gave Mario Muscat no chance.
The Paolites replied with a Matthew Gauci effort which hit the crossbar three minutes later. An Andrew Cohen freekick ended just wide on 41 minutes.
Three minutes from the end of the first half, Qormi made it 3-0 when off a good run on the left flank, Joseph Chetcuti served Michael Borg Olivier who hit home from close range.
Borg Olivier could have added another goal on the 68th minute but failed to connect off an inviting cross by Frendo from the right. Two minutes later, Andrew Cohen went close for Hibernians with a cute lob from the left.
Qormi increased the lead thanks to an own goal by Matthew Tabone on 71 minutes who deflected the ball following a cross from the right by Joseph Chetcuti, served by Josue.
A minute later, Michael Borg Olivier scored the fifth goal when he received a good pass by Cleavon Frendo from the left and slotted the ball past Muscat.
The Yellow Blacks kept pushing for more and Frendo released Chetcuti on the right and off the latter’s cross Josue Souza Santos had a good shot saved in two attempts by the Hibs custodian.
Hibernians reduced the gap on 79 minutes with a powerful shot from inside the area by Edward Herrera.
A minute later, Herrera rounded Roderick Sammut on the left before hitting low past Matthew Camilleri.
Joseph Chetcuti was voted BOV Player of the Match.
Photo: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
QORMI Matthew Camilleri, Jason Vandelannoite, Roderick Sammut, Matthew Bartolo, Keith Fenech (82′ Gaetano Gesualdi), Joseph Chetcuti, Joseph Farrugia, Michael Borg Olivier (77′ George Chircop), Cleavon Frendo, Kang Hojung, Josue Souza Santos (87′ Steve Agius).
Subs not used: Gian Tonna, Carmelo Farrugia, Christos Karamanolis, Gabriel Buttigieg.
Coach: Steve Azzopardi
Assistant Coach: Charles Scerri
HIBS Mario Muscat, Rene Duca (61′ Brandon Muscat), Matthew Tabone, Aaron Xuereb, Adrian Pulis (57′ Ayrton Azzopardi), Patrick Osei, Triston Caruana, Matthew Gauci, Andrew Cohen (88′ Johann Bezzina), Edward Herrera, Dylan Sammut.
Subs not used: Isaak Briffa, Christian Briffa, Karl Conti, Keith Tanti.
Coach: Mark Miller
Assistant Coach: Edmond Lufi
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: none
Scorers: 13′ Jason Vandelannoite (Q); 34′ Cleavon Frendo (Q); 42′ Michael Borg Olivier (Q); 71′ own goal Matthew Tabone (Q); 72′ Michael Borg Olivier (Q); 79′ Edward Herrera (H); 80′ Edward Herrera (H)
Attendance: 359