Last gasp penalty hands Qormi first defeat of season

Football - BOV First Division

League leaders Qormi were handed the first defeat of the season against a spiritid Vittoriosa side who made a good comeback after the break. The result leaves Qormi at the top of the standings, but their lead is now to just two points over the fast improving young Pieta side.

Vittoriosa held the initiative for long stretches in the first half but Qormi were the most effective in front of goal and had the better chances. On five minutes Caetano Da Silva’s shor slightly missed the base of the upright. Four minutes later Tensior Guzman hit the crossbar with a spectacular overhead kick.

On 16 minutes Qormi took the lead when Guzman nipped in between Abela and the goalkeeper and managed to serve Caetano Da Silva who slotted in an empty net. On 34 minutes Obiefule tested the Qormi goalkeeper and on the other end Guzman’s effort beat Magri but Andre Farrugia was on hand to clear the danger. Just before the break an Arriagada Mella freekick just missed the target.

On the resumption Vittoriosa were more aggressive and took their opponents by storm and after a Liam Gauci freekick was brilliantly saved by Azzopardi, the same Azzopardi could do nothing on 51 minutes to stop a fierce drive from Arriageda Mella.

The match was now an open contest with both sides missing some good scoring opportunities and with Qormi rather unlucky on 78 minutes when an Iven Zammit scorcher slammed against the lower side of the crossbar.

Deep in stoppage time when the match looked destined for a draw, came Vittoriosa’s surprise winner. A Suarez Leon shot hit Caetano da Silva’s outstretched hand and referee Mangion awarded the penalty from which Obinna Obiefule made no mistake to put Qormi on the losing end for the first time this season.

Qormi: J. Azzopardi, J. Caetano Da Silva, Y. Yankam, D. Vukovic, A. Cassar, A. Abela, L. Adamec, C. Matombo (J. Salaroli 90 min), L. Busuttil (I. Zammit 65 min), T. Guzman, B. Grech (N. Ghio 74 min)

Vittoriosa S: K. Magri, J. Pace (G. Sultana 77 min), O. Obiefule, F. Arriageda Mella, D. Fava, C. Spiteri, A. Farrugia, D. Pisani, I. Abela, J. Ogunnupe (C. Suarez Leon 84 min), L. Gauci

Referee: Etienne Mangion

Qormi's Tensior Guzman rounds off Vittoriosa Stars goalkeeper Karl Magri in the action that set up the first goal for Qormi. Photo: Domenic Aquilina