Qormi ended a run of three straight defeats after beating fellow strugglers St Andrew's to secure the first win of the season.

Alex Nilsson played a key role in Qormi's win as the Swedish striker marked a man-of-the-match performance with two goals to consign the poor Saints to their fourth consecutive defeat.

St Andrew's had the better chances in the early stages.

Joseph Farrugia released Matthew Guillaumier in the box and the latter's shot was partially saved by Andreas Vella, the Qormi goalkeeper, before the Qormi defenders cleared.

Qormi's Carlo Monti drove his free-kick after the sprinting Steve Agius was brought down outside the box.

The game was generally drab before Kieran Nwoko embarked on a dinking run on the left before hitting a dipping shot that was pushed away for a corner by Vella.

It was Qormi who nosed ahead midway into the first half. Kurt Magro's fierce drive from the distance came off the fart post but the danger was not over for the Saints.

Agius's pass from the inside-left channel dropped to Alessio Cassar whose first-time effort from just outside the area ended in the net despite Diego Rossetto, the St Andrew's goalkeeper, getting a hand to the ball.

Qormi increased their lead six minutes later. The St Andrew's defence was again caught in a state of disarray as Ryan Micallef's pass released Alex Nilsson who pulled clear of his marker before hitting past Rossetto.

The Saints looked stunned but they threatened to reduce the deficit just before half-time. Jordan Williams's corner from the right set up Guillaumier but the latter's drive was cleared off the line.

Late in the first half, Farrugia's cross-shot from the right was fisted away by Vella. On the cusp of half-time, St Andrew's were unlucky not to pull one back as Guillaumier's drive, from Jordan Williams' corner, was cleared off the line by Sidibe.

Saints coach Wayne Attard brought on Italian striker Chris De Nguidjol to bolster physical his attack.

De Nguidjol threatened to make an instant impact as he forced his way into the box from the right before crossing towards the unmarked Farrugia who headed over from point blank.

Rossetto denied Qormi a third goal when pushing away Nilsson's brilliant volley after the Swedish striker had raced clear of the hesitant Nicola Andreis who, moments later, almost committed an own goal as he miscued his clearance.

The game livened up.

A lengthy St Andrew's raid put pressure on Qormi but Clyde Cumbo's drive was blocked by Billy Berntsson and Farrugia's header, amid the ensuing melee, was headed away by Sidibe.

Once again, St Andrew's were made to pay for their misses as, in their next attack, Qormi won a penalty. Andreis was again at fault as he was beaten to the ball by Nilsson before tripping the Qormi striker. Nilsson made no mistake from the spot.

In the dying stages, Nilsson twisted his way into the box but his final shot flashed across the face of goal.

fonte: timesofmalta.com