Late goals settle tense derby

Two late goals in the space of two minutes settled this tense derby in front of a bumper crowd that attracted 1,139 spectators at The Victor Tedesco stadium.

The last part of the game was filled with drama with three red cards and a free for all, apart from the goals scored.

Zebbug fully deserved this result having the edge over the league leaders for long stretches of the game. For Qormi these were the first points dropped after an impressive run of six successive victories, however they remain firmly on top of the standings.

Zebbug were the better team in the first half, with the league leaders unable to take control of the vital midfield sector. Zebbug held the edge blotting out of the game Matombo and Yankam. Winston Muscat lost Muda Fagbeja after barely 10 minutes play, and Jurgen Suda was romped in to fill his place.

Zebbug were the most effective in the first half and created the better chances with the Qormi goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi making two very good saves off Clifford Gauci in the opening minutes. On 23 minutes the same Gauci tried his luck from a distance but his effort went slightly over the bar.

On the half hour Zebbug were almost there with a good move between Suda and Kovacic with the Azzopardi saving Qormi with a daring sortie on Kovacic.

Five minutes later Qormi created their best move with Caetano da Silva put through in front of goal, but Zebbug defender Da Silva Gomes made a great tackle to block his effort.

Just before the break Qormi went close with a dangerous curling freekick from Lubos Adamec with the ball missing the crossbar by a whisker.

The second half started with another freekick from Adamec and yet again the ball went slightly over the bar. Zebbug had a Gusman header saved by Azzopardi and on 62 minutes Suda’s effort after a fine run skimmed the base of the upright.

Tempers flared with 20 minutes to go with an unwelcome free for all with practically all players involved. Referee Farrugia Cann reduced both sides to ten men sending off Qormi’s Matombo and Zebbug’s Steve Schembri, also showing a red card to Qormi’s Kyle Spiteri who was sent off from the substitute’s bench.

Five minutes from time Qormi took the lead when Yankam shot home from close range following a swift move with Caetano da Silva. But Qormi’s joy was shortlived as two minutes later Zebbug drew level when Rafael Da Silva Gomes headed home a Gauci freekick.

Qormi: J. Azzopardi, J. Caetano Da Silva, Y. Yankam, L. Busuttil (T. Guzman 64 min), M. Camilleri (J. Salaroli 84 min), B. Grech, A. Abela, A. Cassar, L. Adamec, C. Matombo, D. Vukovic.

Żebbuġ R: J. Farrugia, R. Da Silva Gomes, A. Curmi, C. Gauci, L. Mallia, A. Kovacic, M. Fagbeja (J. Suda 12 min), S. Schembri, M. Attard, F. Gusman, K. Zammit (A. Micallef 71 min).

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann