Borg puts Msida in dreamland

Msida St Joseph 2
Marsaxlokk 2

(aet; 90 mins 2-2; Msida win 7-6 on penalties)

Msida St Joseph are in dreamland. Keeping alive their seemingly impossible dream of contesting the final of the FA Trophy, second only to the league in terms of prestige, was their loyal goalkeeper Omar Borg who pulled off two crucial saves in a tense penalty shoot-out that guided his team and fans in delirium and destroyed Marsaxlokk's hopes of reaching their second KO final in the last two years.

Played less than 24 hours after the heart-throbbing encounter between Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara which saw the latter gaining access to the final after another nerve-wracking penalty sequence, Msida and Marsaxlokk found it hard to put on the same entertaining show but their match was not short on drama and excitement.

When Jamie Pace headed Marsaxlokk in front 12 minutes into the extra-time, everyone thought that the Blues had given themselves a chance of making amends for an otherwise depressing season by challenging Birkirkara for KO glory.

It was not to be, though, as Johan Zammit, not so long ago on the books of Marsaxlokk, made it 2-2 seconds before the end of the supplementary 30 minutes.

Marsaxlokk were shocked but after their goalkeeper Reuben Debono stopped Kevin Sammut's effort from the spot, they were back in the driving seat but Borg refused to throw in the towel. His courage was rewarded as he blocked Trevor Templeman's angled effort which, had it gone in, would have sealed Marsaxlokk's passage and then, after Nwoke put Msida 7-6 ahead, emulated his act on Carlo Mamo to steer his club into the first major final in their history.

Malcolm Licari was restored to his customary striking position alongside Cleaven Frendo and Andrè Schembri in a 4-3-3 formation, something of a novelty for Marsaxlokk this term.

Mario Petrone, Msida's highly-rated Italian coach, kept faith with the 4-4-2 tactical set-up that had Johan Zammit and Daniel Nwoke sharing the team's attacking burden. Msida were also lifted by the return of defenders Manuel Boni and Josef Mifsud after they had missed their team's insignificant 4-2 defeat to St Patrick in their last league match.

Marsaxlokk's lively approach did not take long to produce dividends. Ten minutes from Anton Zammit's initial whistle had gone by when a prolonged Marsaxlokk move saw the hard-working Licari pulling the ball back for Frendo who rifled a low, angled shot which went in via the foot of the far post.

Msida had looked sluggish in the opening 10 minutes but in their first significant foray into Marsaxlokk's half, they managed to draw level. Zammit's robust presence on the edge of the box caused uneasiness among the Marsaxlokk defenders to the extent that the former Floriana forward was able to turn and drag a shot on goal. His attempt was central but Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Reuben Debono could only repel the ball, Nwoke darting in to tap home.

Further evidence of Marsaxlokk's defensive deficiencies was provided a few moments later. A fine interchange between Roderick Bajada and Nwoke saw the latter squeezing his way into the area to receive the return pass but his volley from an inviting position ended wide.

Marsaxlokk's initial fluency faded away after Msida's instant equaliser but Frendo almost put them back in front had his ferocious drive not been fisted away by Borg.

The scoreboard marked 27 minutes when Atanas Marinov, Marsaxlokk's Bulgarian coach, was constrained to make his first substitution. Jamie Pace came on for Schembri, the former Hibernians starlet judged unfit to continue playing by the medical personnel at the National Stadium after picking up an injury.

For the rest of the first half, Marsaxlokk laboured ineffectually to stamp their superior technical qualities on the proceedings, never mind their evident difficulties to maintain a semblance of tactical compactness.

On the other hand, Msida were content to harry their more-quoted opponents in all parts of the pitch but they also sought to manufacture decent openings when they had possession.

Just before half-time, Daniel Theuma unleashed a dangerous grounder from a free-kick but Debono saved. At the other end, Cesar Paiber stepped up to take a Marsaxlokk free-kick from inside the penalty-box arc but his curling chip came off the upright.

Five minutes into the second half, Licari sent Frendo clear but the shot from the former Pietà striker was blocked by Borg. Licari just failed to latch onto a well-hit cross from the erstwhile disappointing Trendafilov. A dearth of constructive football made for a tedious game but one hoped that the teams' urgency to go for the kill would increase with the passing of minutes.

Marsaxlokk had the best chance to move in front when Trendafilov's dipping corner from the right was touched on by Licari but Pace just failed to reach for the ball which flashed just wide of the far post.

Once the Marsaxlokk midfielders and forwards began to move around the pitch with renewed energy and purpose, the rate of their chances increased, forcing Msida into some frantic defending. On one occasion, Licari could only lament his luck when his seemingly dangerous strike hit Trendafilov.

It was all Marsaxlokk now, Licari powering his header wide from a teasing Trendafilov free-kick with 15 minutes of the game remaining. Three minutes later, Msida survived an almighty scare as Frendo looked a solid bet to score after being put through by a Licari through-pass but out came Borg to parry his effort, the rebound ricocheting tantalisingly off the Marsaxlokk forward's feet and ending wide of the post.

With Bajada backing his exquisite distribution qualities with some deft movement in midfield, Marsaxlokk retained control of the match but Msida held on to force extra-time.

Msida could have nosed ahead but Zammit's header skimmed the far post. At the other end, a similar attempt from Frendo was deflected away for a corner.

Three minutes from the end of the first half of extra-time, Marsaxlokk made a significant step towards the final when Pace was on the right spot to direct a glancing header past Borg from Carlo Mamo's cross.

Msida were now forced to throw caution to the wind in their bid to get back on level terms.

Their pressure went increasing as the end of the 30 minutes of additional time drew closer. A header by Theuma was also saved by the Marsaxlokk custodian Reuben Debono but in the very last minute, Msida snatched a dramatic equaliser, Zammit finishing off a melee inside the Marsaxlokk box with an angled drive.

Msida were back from the death.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, C. Micallef, D. Theuma, M. Boni, J. Mifsud ('69 C. Sciberras), K. Sammut, R. Bajada, P. Fenech, D. Cachia, J. Zammit, D. Nwoke.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, C. Paiber, C. Magro, S. Tellus, C. Mamo, S. Bajada, T. Templeman, M. Ivanov Trendafilov ('88 I. Zammit), A. Schembri ('27 J. Pace), C. Frendo ('103 K. Mamo), M. Licari.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Scorers: Frendo 10; Nwoke 12; Pace 102; Zammit 120.

Yellow Cards: Licari; Paiber; Mifsud; Micallef; Zammit.

Penalty Sequence: Theuma (MSJ) 1-0; Paiber (MX) 1-1; Sammut (MSJ) missed 1-1; Licari (MX) 1-2; Cachia (MSJ) 2-2; S. Bajada (MX) 2-3; Micallef (MSJ) 3-3; Pace (MX) 3-4; Zammit (MSJ) 4-4; Templeman (MX) missed 4-4; Nwoke (MSJ) 5-4; C. Mamo (MX) missed 5-4.