Demba Toure notched a hat-trick as Naxxar Lions defeated Qormi 5-0 to return to winning ways after suffering seven consecutive defeats. A win which enables Clive Mizzi’s side to leapfrog Qormi into the tenth place, two points ahead of the team led by Johann Scicluna.
For Qormi, this was not only the fifth successive defeat but a most disappointing result against a team which before the game was considered more or less to be on the same level.
The Lions managed to take the lead three minutes from the end of the first half when off a cross by Angus Buhagiar from the right, Demba Toure rose high to head home past goalkeeper Andreas Vella.
Nine minutes in the second half, Naxxar were awarded a penalty after a defender handled the ball inside the area; from the penalty spot, Demba Toure converted.
Naxxar increased the lead on the 63rd thanks to an own goal as Ousmane Sidibe, in an attempt to clear the ball into safety hit the ball past goalkeeper Vella.
On the 76th, the Lions added another through Demba Toure who scored from close range off a cross by David Fenech.
Three minutes from time, Xhoeijan Cekaj scored the fifth for Naxxar, heading the ball home from close range.
QORMI Andreas Vella, Alessio Cassar (73′ Clint Barbara), Immy Micalef, Ryan Micallef, Kurt Magro, Djamel Romano Leeflang Boestra, Clifford Gauci, Noah Olawale Ojuola, Ousmane Sidibe, Pietro Viggiani (61′ Terence Vella), Yannick Yankam.
Coach: Johann SciclunaNAXXAR Julian Azzopardi, Andrew Scicluna, Ryan Grech, Eduardo Vallecillo Casado, Demba Toure (85′ Jurgen Debono), Josè Angel Godar Pereira, David Fenech (88′ Mark Fenech), Angus Buhagiar, Ennio Hamutenya, Nikola Tasic, Xhoeijan Cekaj.
Coach: Clive MizziReferee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo
Additional Assistant Referees: Philip Farrugia, Sandro Spiteri
Fourth Official: Luke Portelli
Yellow Cards: Buhagiar, Micallef
Scorers: 42′ Demba Toure, 55′ Demba Toure pen, 63′ own goal Ousmane Sidibe, 76′ Demba Toure, 87′ Xhoeijan Cekaj
BOV Playe of the Match: Demba Toure
Attendance: 626