Qormi collected their first three points in the BOV Premier League as a goal after just forty seconds paved the way for a most comfortable 6-2 win over Tarxien Rainbows.
The Yellow Blacks dominated from start to finish as they were a completely different team from the team which disappointed heavily in the defeats to Sliema and Naxxar.
Two new foreigners were making their debut for Qormi – Italians Francesco D’Aniello and Riccardo Innocenti. Marko Potezica returned for Tarxien after serving a one-match ban but Miguel Ciantar was ruled out injured.
Qormi could not have a better start taking the lead after just forty seconds thanks to Riccardo Innocenti whose long-distance shot beat Nicky Vella who was obstructed by the presence of Leighton Grech.
Tommaso Volpi’s side doubled the score on 27 minutes when off a cross from the right by Francesco D’Aniello, Owen Bugeja headed home past Vella.
Tarxien replied with a cross from the right by Everton from which Jorge Santos Silva’s header was parried by Matthew Farrugia.
However Qormi made it 3-0 four minutes from the end of the first half with an angled shot from the left by Alfred Effiong which gave Nicky Vella no chance.
A diagonal shot by Leighton Grech one minute later scraped past the post.
Tarxien pulled one back on 53 minutes thanks to Ronaille Calheira Seara, served by Everton Souza Santos, who slotted the ball past Matthew Farrugia with a low shot from inside the area.
Qormi restored a three-goal lead on 61 minutes thanks to another goal by Alfred Effiong whose close-range header, off a cross by Leighton Grech, hit the upright before ending at the back of the net.
On the 64th minute, referee Paul Caruana ordered a penalty after Manuel Caruana floored Effiong inside the area. Former Tarxien midfielder Roderick Bajada made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Ten minutes later, Triston Caruana released Leighton Grech on the right and the latter concluded a good run with a low diagonal shot which beat the Tarxien goalkeeper.
Tarxien scored a second goal two minutes from time thanks to Jorge Santos Silva when served by Luca Martinelli on the right.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
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TARIEN Nicky Vella, Manuel Caruana (67’ Andrew Agius), Fernando Lopes Alcantara, Luca Martinelli, Marko Potezica, Ronaille Calheira Seara, Everton Souza Santos, Ryan Sammut (46’ Carlo Mamo), Jorge Santos Silva, Josef Mifsud, Steven Bonnici (46’ Steve Sadowski).
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Karl Pulo, Luke Zahra, Nigel Vella.
Coach: Clive MizziQORMI Matthew Farrugia, Alfred Effiong, Roderick Sammut, Giuseppe Bellucci (82′ Dylan Pirotta), Leighton Grech, Roderick Bajada (67’ Triston Caruana), Gianluca Nucera (48’ Luigi Del Giudice), Owen Bugeja, Duncan Pisani, Riccardo Innocenti, Francesco D’Aniello.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Gillmore Azzopardi, Karl Sciortino, Emerson Vella.
Coach: Tommaso VolpiReferee: Paul Caruana
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Edward Spiteri
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Grech, Farrugia, Mifsud, Sammut, Bajada, Caruana
Scorers: 1’ Riccardo Innocenti (Q); 27’ Owen Bugeja (Q); 41’ Alfred Effiong (Q); 53’ Ronaille Calheira Seara (T); 61’ Alfred Effiong (Q); 64’ Roderick Bajada pen (Q); 74′ Leighton Grech (Q); 88′ Jorge Santos Silva (T)
BOV Player of the Match: Alfred Effiong
Attendance at the National Stadium: 644