Late equaliser saves Qormi in top of the table clash

Mqabba Qormi 1 1

Qormi snatched a point in the top of the table clash against Mqabba to maintain its sixpoint advantage over the same Mqabba and Pieta. Qormi can consider themselves lucky to earn a point from a match that was dominated for long stretches by Mqabba.

Mqabba made a strong start and took an earle lead but they failed to kill off their opponents with a second goal and in the end they were made to pay when Qormi obtained the equaliser who even went close to snatch a dramatic winner.

Mqabba were the better team in the first half especially in the opening stages with Gaetano Gesualdi heading wide from a Rennie Tanti cross.

Sixty seconds later a Gianfranco Micallef attempt was well saved by the Qormi goalkeeper and on ten minutes Mqabba deservedly took the lead.

Paul Chimezie passed towards Gianfranco Micallef who fired home from close range with a low drive.

Mqabba continued to dictate matters and Paul Chimezie was denied by a timed sortie by the Qormi goalkeeper.

On 15 minutes Qormi’s first attempt at goal with an overhead kick from Caetano da Silva that was blocked by Debono.

The match slowed down for the rest of the first half with Mqabba in full control of the match.

In the second half Mqabba continued with a Trebovac effort going wide.

Qormi’s first real attempt came as late as 79 minutes when Caetano Da Silva passed towards Alessio Cassar who was anticipated in the nick of time.

Four minutes from time Qormi drew level when ex Rabat striker Chris Vella beat Debono with a shot on the turn.

In the remaining minutes Qormi almost scored a dramatic winner but Alessio Cassar’s header went inches wide.

J. Debono, B. Muscat, R. Tanti, G. Gesualdi, K. Cutajar, M. Borg, G. Micallef, M.Del Negro, P. Chimezie, T. Trebovac, N. Ojuola.

M. Falzon, J.L. Gaetano da Silva (J. Salaroli 82 min), L. Busuttil, Y. Yankam, T. Guzman (M. Camilleri 60 min), L. Adamec, A. Abela, A. Cassar, D. Vukovic, C. Vella, B. Grech (C. Matombo 46 min).

Philip Farrugia