Sannat Lions avoid shock exit

St Lawrence Spurs 2
Sannat Lions 3

Division One leaders Sannat Lions were made to struggle to eliminate the team occupying the bottom place in Division Two. Sannat looked overconfident and that almost led to their downfall.

St Lawrence opened the score through Josmar Grech. He concluded a fine move by Ishaky Umoru.

Umoru was a constant threat to Sannat's rearguard and the striker lost a golden opportunity to double the score in the 11th minute.

Sannat recovered from that difficult start and levelled the score in the 20th minute from a penalty converted by Ricardo Saverino.

The Lions turned the result in their favour with a goal by Sabri Rais in the 36th minute.

But St Lawrence were not finished yet and scored a deserved equaliser through a lob by Joseph Xerri after the restart.

Sannat avoided any mishaps after netting the decisive goal soon after through Saverino's low shot.

Referee: Andrea Arciola.

Gharb Rangers 1
Qala St Joseph 3

As expected, Qala qualified to the next round of the Gozo FA Cup with a victory over Division Two side Gharb Rangers. The win was obtained with the minimum effort as the Rangers tried to stay in contention for as long as they could but their efforts were futile.

Qala will now face Xewkija in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Alex Ribic put Qala ahead in the 25th minute and the score became 2-0 20 minutes from time with a Rufin Oba goal.

Gharb re-opened the issue two minutes later when Abdul Mutalib scored from a penalty. However, the Saints made sure of the victory with a third goal scored by Denis Abela following a fast counter attack nine minutes from time.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Xaghra United 1
Ghajnsielem 2

Ghajnsielem turned defeat into victory in a tight cup-tie. Xaghra produced more scoring opportunities but were erratic in their finishing.

The Blacks were more clinical in attack. Their reward is a match against Nadur in the last eight.

Xaghra keeper Donald Gauci made a superb save in the first half to keep out a Joe Attard header. But Xaghra took the lead soon after the restart through Anthony Eviparker.

Xaghra maintained the initiative but failed to increase their lead.

The Blacks staged a strong rally and levelled the scores on 71 minutes following an own goal by Zoran Milosevic.

Xaghra missed a couple of glaring chances to take the lead. They were made to pay for that as two minutes from time Fernando de Andrade headed home from a free-kick.

Referee: Mario Apap.

SK Victoria W. 3
Oratory Youths 1

SK Victoria Wanderers reached the quarter-finals after ousting neighbours Oratory Youths.

The Wanderers made sure with three first-half goals even though the Youths squandered some clear chances. At least, they could have forced extra time.

Ajibade Adesina and Ige Adesina (2, one penalty) put Victoria in the driving seat.

The Youths reduced the arrears with a goal by George Louis Zammit after the break. Onourah and Nkwocka both squandered good chances for Oratory that could have re-opened the issue.

Referee: Charles Micallef.