Following their setback against Rabat, Qormi HC had to face Floriana YS in the first match of the second round. The Yellows won this match 2-1 going 2-0 ahead but having to hold out in the final minutes when Floriana were 1 goal away from stealing a point. After this victory Qormi reached Rabat at the top of the table having played a game more.
Coach Ray Micallef had Tyrone Vella, Rudolph Camilleri, Kym Bianco and Jonathan Fenech missing for this match. Chircop lined up in goal with Piscopo, Dimech, Sarcia and Ghio in defence. Cuschieri, Aquilina, Tanti and Calleja in midfield with Borg playing in the hole and Bonello up front.
The match was played at a fast pace and both teams went out in search of an early goal. Floriana had 2 early attempts but both were well cleared by the Qormi defence. From then on, Qormi took the initiative and pressed their opponents inside their own half.
Qormi took the lead 19 minutes into the first half. The Yellows were awarded a free hit in the Floriana half. While the Floriana players were arguing with the umpire regarding the decision, Jonathan Borg quickly took the free hit and played the ball to his left to the unmarked Williams. Willliams hit the ball first time and gave Qormi a deserved lead. The half ended with Qormi leading comfortably 1-0.
Qormi started the second half strongly and forced 2 short corners. Owen Piscopo doubled Qormi’s lead from the second one. The set piece was badly executed with the ball destined to go out of play on the right side. Williams stopped it before it went out and crossed the ball towards the centre of the Dee. Tanti and Piscopo were lurking inside the Dee and the latter smashed the ball home to make it 2-0.
Following their 2 goal lead, Qormi fell back and Floriana took full advantage. Young Stars applied pressure a lot of pressure on Qormi and it paid off six minutes from the end. Following a well executed short corner move, Edward Hughes deflect the ball in to make the score 2-1. There was little time left for Floriana to get back into the game and the scoreline remained the same. Now Qormi have a month long break from official matches before they meet White Hart on the 26th of February.
Man of the Match: Owen Piscopo
Qormi Squad: Ramon Chircop, Juan Sarcia, Owen Piscopo, Andre Ghio, Gareth Dimech, Steve Tanti, Joseph Cuschieri, Jonathan Aquilina, Keith Calleja, Jonathan Borg and Justin Bonello.
Subs: Christian Sammut, John Williams, Julian Zahra and Ryan Brincat.
Umpires: Anthony Tabone and Silvano Vassallo
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