Qormi keep hanging on till the end

Qormi registered their second consecutive win when in yesterday’s only match played at the Hibs Stadium they defeated Birkirkara by a solitary goal scored by Antonio Rozzi.

For Birkirkara this was their third defeat on the trot after previous defeats against Hibernians and Mosta. This was also the first match under the guidance of new coach John Buttigieg, their fourth coach of the campaign.

Qormi’s Tensior Gusman and Birkirkara’s Kurt Zammit were ruled out through suspension.

In the first round match between the two sides the Stripes emerged victorious by a 2-1 score.

This result followed last week’s great win against title contenders Hibernians and continued to lift their morale that they can eventually make it and avoid the drop after one season amongst the elite.

With Senglea losing 2-0 against Hibernians later yesterday, it is still uncertain who will be accompnaying Pieta automatically in next year’s first division.

With one match to go for the end of the League, Senglea have 23 points, followed by St Andrews on 21 and Qormi on 19.

The best Qormi can do is finishing 12th which means they will be involved in a playoff against the third placed in the First Division. They hope to win their last game against Mosta and also need St Andrews to lose against Gzira. If the Saints draw against Gzira and Qormi beat Mosta, a decider will become necessary to determine the 12th and 13th placings. Senglea will have to beat Birkirkara to make sure of their place in next season’s Premier League.

The first minutes of the match were rather dull with neither team venturing forward. In fact it was only in the 29th minute that the Stripes threatened when a shot from the edge of the area by Bezzina sailed over the bar.

And two minutes later a Failla free kick for Birkirkara ended well off the mark.

It was now Qormi’s turn when eight minutes from the break Bangoura made his way into the opposing area but the B’Kara rearguard stopped his effort into a corner. From the resultant kick, a Davide Mansi headed effort was saved by Naumovski.

And in the 43rd minute a shot on the run by Wellingtod De Oliveira was turned into a corner by Naumovski.

On the resumption, Birkirkara went near through a Bezzina free kick which went just wide off Cassar’s post.

Qormi also found time to venture forward and just off the hour Jordy Lokando tried from close range but Naumovski responded in style. And a fierce shot by Wellington went inches wide.

On the other side Cassar came to his side’s rescue when he saved Bezzina’s shot. And ten minutes from the end came Qormi’s all important goal. It was Antonio Rozzi who converted following some good work by Wellington.

Birkirkara’s reaction was rather pathetic with their only chance coming from a Failla free kick which was pushed away by an alert Cassar.