Vittoriosa fight back to defeat Qormi

Even though Vittoriosa had to play for over an hour with ten-men, they managed to register an important victory after a long run of defeats.

Vittoriosa were very close to scoring on the 17th minute when Gilbert Martin's shot went just over the cross bar.

After 29 minutes of play, Qormi managed to take the lead thanks to a penalty. Jose Filipe Aguiar brought Abudulai Issaka down inside the area and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot and sent Aguiar off. Roderick Bajada beat goalkeeper Sean Cini from the penalty spot.

Vittoriosa managed to score the equaliser on the 52nd minute. Off a cross by Oscar Guerrero, Gilbert Martin's powerful shot was not saved by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia and in ended up at the back of the net.

The shock came to Qormi just two minutes later when Vittoriosa took the lead. Off a freekick by Oscar Guerrero, Marceko Pereira hit the woodwork with his shot from close range. The ball went on to hit a defender and from the rebound Pereira beat the Qormi goalkeeper with his shot.

On the 67th minute, Qormi came close to scoring when Clive Spiteri cleared a shot by Leighton Grech off the goal line.

Both teams continued to create chances in front of goal, but Vittoriosa held on to secure the important three points.

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Alfred Effiong, Roderick Sammut, Giuseppe Bellucci, Leighton Grech (82′ Duncan Pisani), Roderick Bajada (69′ Triston Caruana), Joao Gabriel da Silva, Emerson Vella (73′ Gianluca Nucera), Owen Bugeja, Jonathan Bondin, Abudulai Issaka.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Karl Sciortino, Federico Santaguida, Dylan Pirotta.
Coach: Josef Manuseto

VITTORIOSA STARS: Sean Cini, Ousmane Sidibe, Adam Spiteri, Marcelo Pereira, Clive Spiteri, Jose Filipe Aguiar, Gilbert Martin (73′ Mark Barbara), Malcolm Buttigieg, Oscar Alvarado Guerrero, Seydou Bamba (33′ Francicso Arriagada Mella), Samir Arab (84′ Ryan Mifsud).
Subs not used: Laurence Cauchi, Justin Camilleri, Kurt Ellul.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Sidibe, Bellucci, Gabriel, Arriagada
Red Cards: 29′ Jose Filipe Aguiar
Scorers: 29′ Roderick Bajada pen (Q); 52′ Gilbert Martin (V); 54′ Marcelo Pereira (V)
BOV Player of the Match: Oscar Guerrero