ZEBBUG RANGERS 1 QORMI 3

Qormi came from behind to defeat neighbours Zebbug Rangers to dramatically secure their premier league status on the final day of the season.

Past the half hour mark, the woodwork came to Matthew Farrugia’s rescue as Zebbug’s Carlo Monti’s free-kick ricocheted off the crossbar.

But four minutes later, Paltemio Barbetti played a perfect-weighted long free-kick to the far post and the cross fell on the head of Mauricio Britto who nodded the ball behind Farrugia. The silence that followed this goal told its own story, as at that juncture, despite their best efforts, Qormi were in the play-off.

Qormi desperately needed to hit back quickly and Alex Nilsson ran with menace at the Zebbug defence, rounded a befuddled Reano to square the ball for the unmarked Leighton Grech who scored with aplomb.

It was Qormi who ended the half in ascendancy. Marcelinho punted the ball forward and Alfred Effiong exploited his speed off the mark to race past the backtracking Zebbug defence. His effort was stopped by the foot of the post but the ball spiralled into the air and towards Nilsson who struck home and send the Qormi fans in raptures.

In their first notable foray into Qormi’s half after the break, Alfonso Greco’s side almost struck. Kurt Zammit went clear on the left, drifted into the box and upon, seeing that Matthew Farrugia had strayed off his line to close the angle, he pulled the ball back for Matias Muchardi. The Argentine midfielder met Zammit’s service with a flying shot that fizzled inches over the bar.

From the possibility of regaining parity, Zebbug suddenly found themselves facing a two-goal deficit. Former Zebbug player Clifford Gauci slipped a pass to Grech who jinked his way past a posse of players before rifling past Farrugia.