Qormi FC vs Hamrun Spartans 2-0 (HT 1-0)
Qormi moved three points clear on top the BOV Premier League table as they scored a goal in each half to beat Hamrun Spartans 2-0. They lie on the 16-point mark, three ahead of Valletta and Hibernians. The Citizens, however, have a game in hand.
Hamrun, on the other hand, stay in eighth place on six points. They shared ball-possession with their opponents but were not dangerous up front.
Qormi lacked Steve Meilak while Joseph Chetcuti started the game on the bench. Jonathan Holland was missing for Hamrun.
The Spartans had the first shot at goal with a freekick by Rupert Mangion from the left blocked by Matthew Farrugia on 7 minutes. Qormi replied with an Alfred Effiong header off a cross by Ryan Deguara from the right. Joao Mawete was unlucky to hit the woodwork on 13 minutes following a corner from the right by Mangion. Ivan Casha then performed a good save on a header by Alfred Effiong off a cross by Joseph Farrugia from the left.
On 33 minutes, Qormi missed a good chance when Massimo Grima sent Alfred Effiong through on the right but concluded wide.
Qormi took the lead on 37 minutes when off a freekick from the left by Joseph Farrugia, the ball reached Massimo Grima who hit the ball home from close-range.
Six minutes in the second half, Mark Barbara tried his luck with a powerful shot from the edge of the area following a corner from the left. However the ball was deflected into another corner. Clyde Camoin then tested Mark Farrugia with a direct freekick.
The Yellow-Blacks doubled the score on 62 minutes when Joseph Farrugia sent Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo through and the latter placed the ball at the back of the net with a fine shot from the edge of the area.
On 69 minutes, Qormi went close once again with Camilo serving Effiong on the left but his attempt was blocked on the edge of the area.
Manolito Micallef then missed a good opportunity on 77 minutes when he failed to connect off a Marcelo Pereira cross from the left. Finally, four minutes in added time, Qormi went close once again with a cross shot by Alfred Effiong which was turned into a corner by Ivan Casha.
QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Jonathan Bondin, Ramon Dos Santos, Roderick Sammut, Stephen Wellman, Joseph Farrugia, Keith Fenech, Massimo Grima (82′ Joseph Chetcuti), Ryan Deguara (76′ Kenneth Spiteri), Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo (92′ Sharlon Pace), Alfred Effiong.
Subs not used: Jurgen Cilia, Malcolm Buttigieg, Jurgen Stanyer, Gabriel Buttigieg.
Coach: Vince Carbonaro
Team Manager: Jesmond Zerafa
HAMRUN Ivan Casha, Aaron Attard, Rupert Mangion, Roderick Fenech, Mark Barbara, Neville Galea (50′ Clyde Camoin), Marcelo Pereira, Gaetan Spiteri, Martin Hrubsa, Joao Batista Mawete Jr, Manolito Micallef.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Mark Anthony Bonnici, Dalton Caruana, Diego Cucciardi, Lee James Agius, Timothy Fleri Soler.
Coach: Stephen D’Amato
Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Mariano Debono
Fourth Official: Paul Caruana
Yellow Cards: K. Fenech, J. Farrugia, Casha
BOV Player of the Match: Massimo Grima
Scorers: 37′ Massimo Grima
62′ Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo