Lions sweat to eliminate Hotspurs

Victoria Hotspurs 1
Sannat Lions 2

This was a typical cup tie with Sannat Lions lowering the colours of Division Two team Victoria Hotspurs with two goals scored in the second half. The young players of Victoria played a tactical match and were close to create an upset as they led until 20 minutes from time.

The Hotspurs opened the score in the 25th minute through an exquisite Anthony Briffa lob following a through pass by Roberto Sacco.

Their breakthrough saw Victoria growing in confidence and Roberto Sacco incredibly missed a sitter soon after following an inviting pass by Joseph Mizzi.

The Lions were finding it extremely hard to impose their play but they did manage to clinch an equaliser in the 69th minute. A cross by substitute Sandro Azzopardi fell invitingly to Mark Camilleri who hit home low in the net.

The Hotspurs were stunned and Sannat turned the result in their favour in the 78th minute thanks to an opportunistic Ricardo Saverino goal.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

SK Victoria W. 0
Qala St Joseph 0
(Qala SJ win 4-2 on penalties)

Division Two team Qala eliminated SK Victoria Wanderers, of Division One, after a penalty shoot-out. The Wanderers held the initiative in the opening half but Qala hit back admirably after the restart.

The closest the Wanderers went to open the score was through a Blanco de Castro free-kick midway through the first half. The shot was well saved by Kevin Vella in the Qala goal.

Qala looked better after the break as Victoria keeper Marlon Mercieca made a series of fine saves to keep his side in contention.

He also saved an Ushaky Umoru penalty in the 88th minute, awarded for a handling infringement inside the box by Kevin Azzopardi.

The score remained goalless also after extra-time. Qualification had to be decided by penalties.

Qala scored through Mark Bonello, Mario Mifsud, Paul Camilleri and Joe Xerri while Victoria only managed goals from de Castro and Daniel Muscat.

Referee: Paul Apap.

St Lawrence Spurs 5
Zebbug Rovers 0

As the scoreline clearly indicates this was a one-sided match which went the Spurs' way.

The Rovers were only in the match during the opening half but were then outclassed by superior opponents.

St Lawrence found it hard to penetrate the Rovers' defence in the initial stages. Despite their dominance they only had one goal to show at the break. It was scored by Jonathan Micallef in the 45th minute.

Zebbug were nowhere to be seen in the second half as the Saints made sure of victory with quick goals from Alvin Grech and Paul Attard.

Grech made it 4-0 with a firm header in the 70th minute and the final score became 5-0 13 minutes from time with an Ogun Abimbola goal.

Referee: George Portelli.

Gharb Rangers 2
Oratory Youths 3

Oratory Youths qualified for the Cup quarter-finals after a hard-earned win over Gharb.

Gharb looked more dangerous early on and it had to be keeper Joe Pisani to keep his team in play with a string of fine saves.

The match was perfectly balanced until the 60th minute when the Youths broke the deadlock through Charles Xuereb. But Gharb levelled five minutes later from a fast break by Nkandye and concluded in style by Jonathan Apap.

Oratory regained the lead in the 70th minute with a Dione Lautier goal and moved 3-1 in front with an Osy Nkwocha penalty a few minutes later.

A free-kick by Stephen Apap hit the Oratory bar and from the rebound defender Harry Cassar committed an own goal in an attempt to clear the danger.

The Rangers were back in the game but Oratory managed to preserve their slim one-goal lead to reach the next round of the competition.

Referee: Reno Refalo.

Quarter-finals

December 8: Qala vs Xewkija; St Lawrence vs Ghajnsielem.

December 13: Sannat vs Kercem; Oratory vs Xaghra/Nadur.

Note: The preliminary round match between Xaghra United and Nadur Youngsters will be played on November 26.