After a fine performance against Valletta despite a narrow defeat, Qormi disappointed once again, losing 0-1 to Vittoriosa Stars. For the team led by Oliver Spiteri, this was their first win after suffering three defeats in the last three outings.

Vittoriosa now move on the four-point mark, one ahead of Qormi who have now lost four of the five matches played.

Leighton Grech, Francesco D’Aniello and Gianluca Nucera were missing for Qormi while Luke Vella Critien, Sheldon Grech and Roberto Brincat were unavailable for Vittoriosa.

Vittoriosa went close to taking the lead on the 9th minute thanks to a Jose Filipe Aguiar effort which hit the woodwork and off the rebound, Caruana risked committing an own goal. On the 21st minute, Marcelo Pereira’s header, off a freekick by Mark Barbara, was parried by the Qormi goalkeeper.

A minute later, Vittoriosa forged ahead on the 22nd minute when in a swift counter-attack for the Stars, Oscar Guerrero served Marcio Teruel on the right and the latter beat Matthew Farrugia with a diagonal shot.

On the hour, a freekick by Jorge Pereira da Silva for Qormi ended wide. Two minutes later, a low shot by Marcio Teruel, on the other side of the pitch, was neutralised by Farrugia. On the 67th, a Riccardo Innocenti header, following a freekick by Triston Caruana, was parried by Jean Matthias Vella.

Just before the final whistle, Vittoriosa went close to doubling the score as substitute Gilbert Martin advanced on the right but his conclusion was turned into a corner by Matthew Farrugia. Qormi then had a goal disallowed for an offside.

Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

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VITTORIOSA Sean Cini (9′ Jean Matthias Vella), Mark Barbara (60′ Gilbert Martin), Marcio Teruel, Marcelo Pereira (81′ Siraj Arab), Samir Arab, Oscar Guerrero, Clive Spiteri, Malcolm Buttigieg, Michael Camilleri, Jose Filipe Aguiar, Lucas Ramon dos Santos.
Subs not used: Justin Camilleri, Ryan Mifsud, Adam Spiteri, Liam Gauci.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Alfred Effiong, Roderick Sammut, Roderick Bajada (55′ Jonathan Bondin), Triston Caruana, Jorge Pereira da Silva, Emerson Vella (46′ Giuseppe Bellucci), Owen Bugeja, Duncan Pisani, Ricardo Innocenti, Federico Santaguida.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Gilmore Azzopardi, Karl Sciortino, Luigi del Guidice, Dylan Pirotta.
Coach: Tommaso Volpi

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Peter Abela
Additional Assistant Referees: Kevin Azzopardi, Paul Caruana
Fourth Official: Duncan Sultana
Yellow Cards: Samir Arab, Barbara, M. Camilleri, Bellucci, C. Spiteri, F. Aguiar, Bugeja
Scorers: 22′ Marcio Teruel

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Sliema Wanderers missed the opportunity to move on top the BOV Premier League table as they were held in a 3-3 draw by Tarxien Rainbows.

The Blues remain unbeaten but this was the second draw in five matches. Tarxien, on the other hand, earned a point after two defeats in their last two outings.

Jorge Santos Silva put Tarxien ahead on the 9th minute. Abubakar Bello-Osagie levelled matters on 26 minutes thanks to a penalty and ten minutes later, Stanley Ohawuchi made it 2-1. Five minutes from the end of the first half, Tarxien were awarded a penalty and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was sent off. Ronaille Calheira Seara converted from the penalty spot to equalise.

Ronaille Calheira Seara put Tarxien ahead on 58 minutes but two minutes later, Jorge Santos Silva was sent off. Five minutes from time, Stanley Ohawuchi restored equilibrium.

Miguel Ciantar tested Henry Bonello after receiving the ball off a corner by Jorge Santos Silva on the 6th and dribbling a defender.

Tarxien managed to take the lead on the 9th minute thanks to a well placed freekick in the top corner of the net from the 30 metres by Jorge Santos Silva which stunned Sliema goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Sliema replied with a Paltemio Barbetti central freekick ending directly into Nicholas George Vella’s safe hands on the 18th. Three minutes later, Bello-Osagie exchanged the ball with Alex Muscat inside the penalty box with the latter’s low diagonal shot parried by Tarxien goalkeeper.

Tarxien were awarded a penalty on the 25th when Ronaille Calheira Seara floored John Mintoff inside the penalty area. From the penalty spot, Abubakar Bello-Osagie converted with a well placed low shot on the right hand side of the post.

On the 33rd minute, Miguel Ciantar passed the ball to Jorge Santos Silva whose low diagonal shot inside the penalty box was deflected into a corner by Henry Bonello.

Three minutes later, Sliema took the lead Mark Scerri sent Abubakar Bello-Osagie through and the latter served Stanley Ohawuchi inside the penalty area with the Nigerian striker’s low shot on the right hand side of the post ending at the back of the net.

However their joy was short-lived as on the 39th minute, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino fouled Ronaille Calheira Seara inside the penalty area, receiving the second yellow card, therefore being sent off for an early shower. From the penalty spot, Ronaille Calheira Seara converted, sending Henry Bonello on the right hand side while the low shot ending on the left.

Nine minutes in the second half, Bello-Osagie released Ohawuchi inside the area but Nicky Vella anticipated before the Sliema striker could do any damage.

Four minutes later, Tarxien forged ahead when a cross by Luca Martinelli from the right was met by a Ronaille Calheira Seara fine header which beat Henry Bonello.

Two minutes later, the Rainbows were also reduced to ten men as Jorge Santos Silva received a second yellow card for simulation.

The Blues gained confidence and on the 69th when Bello-Osagie served Matias Muchardi with the latter’s effort blocked by Vella. Three minutes later, Bello-Osagie headed wide off a freekick by Muchardi.

Sliema equalised five minutes from time when off a corner from the right by Trevor Cilia, Stanley Ohawuchi headed home.

Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

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SLIEMA Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, John Mintoff (70’ Ivan Woods), Mark Scerri (81’ Trevor Cilia), Stanley Ohawuchi, Abubaker Bello-Osagie, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Pape Gueye (46’ Matias Muchardi), Paltemio Barbetti, Stefano Biancardi.
Subs not used: Axl Xuereb, Glenn Zammit, Dylan Borg, Beppe Muscat.
Coach: Alfonso Greco

TARXIEN Nicholas George Vella, Carlo Mamo, Manuel Caruana, Fernando Lopez Alcantara, Luca Martinelli, Marko Potezika, Ronaille Calheira Seara, Miguel Ciantar (63’ Andrew Agius), Josef Mifsud, Steven Bonnici, Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Steven Sadowski, Everton Souza Santos, Karl Pulo, Clive Fenech, Nigel Vella.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: C. Gatt Baldacchino (S), M. Potezica (T), J. Santos Silva (T), M. Scerri (S), M. Caruana (T), L. Martinelli (T), S. Biancardi, S. Bonnici (T)
Red Cards: 39’ C. Gatt Baldacchino (S), 60’ J. Santos Silva (T)
Scorers: 9’ Jorge Santos Silva (T), 26’ Abubaker Bello-Osagie (S), 36’ Stanley Ohawuchi (S), 40’ & 58’ Ronaille Calheira Seara (T), 85’ Stanley Ohawuchi (S).
BOV Player of the Match: Abubaker Bello-Osagie