Marsaxlokk win low-key match to go through

Marsaxlokk 2
Marsa 0

Cup-ties are all about passion and giant killing acts. Yesterday's FA Trophy second round match between Marsaxlokk and Marsa was the antithesis of this premise as the encounter was a yawn-laden affair with hardly any goalmouth action throughout.

In the end, two goals, one in each half, were enough for Premier League side Marsaxlokk to book their place in the quarter-finals of this year's cup competition and remain in the hunt for a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Ambitious Marsaxlokk who made it to the final of this competition in 2004, were expected to cruise through to the quarter final without much ado especially since their Division One opponents Marsa lately suffered a dip in form in their bid to win promotion to the top flight.

The southerners could argue that they were hampered by injuries to several key players including striker Cleaven Frendo, defenders Nuno Gomes, Cesar Paiber, Gareth Sciberras and midfielders Kevin Sammut and Shaun Bajada.

These absentees definitely left their mark on the proceedings but Marsaxlokk still fielded a competitive side full of experienced players with premier league pedigree to their name.

On their part Marsa proved to be a resilient side marshalled by their coach Michael Molzahn who opted for a cautious approach by crowding his defence to try and contain the surging runs of the hardworking Andre Schembri.

This move did pay dividends as Marsaxlokk found it rather tough to create any menacing moves and Ivan Casha, the Marsa goalkeeper, was hardly called to make any crucial saves.

The first 45 minutes failed to produce any entertaining fare and we had to wait until the half hour to record the first real goal-scoring opportunity. Jamie Pace was quick to head the ball goalwards but was unlucky to see his effort rebound off the crossbar with a surprised Casha beaten.

A minute later, Pace was once again behind another good move as he evaded his marker before unleashing a powerful shot that sailed over the crossbar.

This was the prelude to the opening goal which arrived on 37 minutes. Malcolm Licari engineered the move as he delivered a low cross towards the speedy Schembri who latched on to the ball and beat Casha with a sturdy shot from close range.

At the start of the second half, Marsaxlokk coach Ray Farrugia opted to give substitute goalkeeper Jurgen Micallef a taste of cup action when he replaced Reuben Gauci.

On 63 minutes, Marsaxlokk should have wrapped up the formalities as Schembri fed Wendell Soares Gomes in the area and the Brazilian hooked a good shot that just missed the target.

But three minutes later the Brazilian forward was not to be denied. Schembri was once again the provider as he pulled the ball back from a tight angle towards the unmarked Soares Gomes who had a rather easy task burying the ball into the net from close in.

This goal all but killed off the contest as Marsa looked unable to produce any form of reaction with Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Micallef rarely getting a touch of the ball.

Marsa also gave their substitute goalkeeper some match action as Roderick Spiteri replaced Casha for the last 15 minutes of the match.

It was all Marsaxlokk in the latter stages of the match as Farrugia's men sought to add a third goal. Despite Marsaxlokk enjoyed long periods of possession and created a flurry of chances, the Marsa defence held on to bow out of this season's cup competition in respectable fashion.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci ('46 J. Micallef), C. Mamo, M. Licari ('73 S. Tellus), S. Wellman, C. Magro, T. Templeman, K. Mamo, C. Nwoko, A. Schembri ('83 B. Caruana), W. Soares Gomes, J. Pace.

Marsa: I. Casha ('75 R. Spiteri), D. Vella ('87 I. Borg), N. Slavtchev, G. Martin, D. Gatt ('60 T. Thomas), B. Zammit, S. Cutajar, K. Scerri, S. Meilak, J.P. Zammit, R. Micallef.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Scorers: Schembri 37, Soares Gomes 66.

Yellow Cards: Templeman, Schembri, Scerri.