Senglea, St Patrick book place in semis

Vittoriosa Stars 1
Senglea Athletics 3

Senglea Athletics became the first team to progress to the semi-finals of the Division One KO after a 3-1 win over Vittoriosa Stars.

Only two minutes of the game had elapsed when Senglea took the lead. Silvio Sciberras supplied the cross from a free-kick and Jeremy Gatt rose well to head home. Seven minutes later, Dennis Fenech's team made it 2-0, Timothy Thomas nodding home after another cross from Sciberras.

Vittoriosa could have reduced the deficit but Cedric Sciberras and Trevor Thomas spurned inviting opportunities.

Senglea went 3-0 up in the 23rd minute thanks to another goal by Timothy Thomas who flicked home after receiving a cross from Glenn Bonello. Late in the first half, Senglea were reduced to ten men after Erin Azzopardi was sent off for dissent.

Vittoriosa could have pulled a goal back just before the break but Uchanna Anywanna was twice thwarted by George Attard. The Senglea 'keeper then produced a good save from an Ivan Zammit free-kick.

Vittoriosa were the better team in the second half but they failed to trouble their opponents. The Stars scored a consolation goal when Trevor Thomas converted a penalty after he had been floored by Senglea defender Lawrence Attard in the penalty area.

Vittoriosa: I. Cassar, S. Calleja, R. Adami, J. Camilleri, I. Zammit, S. Privitelli (C. Cachia), L. Scerri, Trevor Thomas, U. Anywanna, D. Gatt, C. Sciberras.

Senglea: G. Attard, L. Attard, D. Cosaitis (T. Ghirxi), D. Grech, F. Ellul, Timothy Thomas (J. Fsadni), S. Sciberras, J. Gatt (B. Zerafa), E. Azzopardi, M. Borg, G. Bonello.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

St Patrick 3
Qormi 1

Despite missing key players Kenneth Abela and Sandro Costa Brazilino, St Patrick were too good for Qormi and beat them 3-1 to reach the last four of the KO competition.

St Patrick made the early running but it was Qormi who forged ahead after 14 minutes. Joseph Farrugia broke the deadlock with a curling shot from around 30 metres.

The Saints could have equalised two minutes later but Edward Azzopardi made a goal-line clearance from Karl Micallef's header.

After Johann Zammit squandered two great opportunities for Qormi, St Patrick drew level two minutes into the second half through substitute Albert Caruana.

Barely a minute later, Sean Magro put St Patrick ahead for the first time with a first-time volley.

Ten minutes from time, Magro shot straight at the goalkeeper but, five minutes later, the Saints striker made amends by firing home after receiving from Simon Zerafa.

St Patrick: D. Cassar, S. Dimech, R. Cassar (E. Saliba), M. Zerafa, M. Fleri Soler, S. Zerafa, K. Micallef (A. Caruana), G. Failla, M. Pullicino (C. Micallef), S. Magro, V. Camilleri.

Qormi: T. Camilleri, D. Zuccaro, A. Saliba, A. Formosa, E. Azzopardi (M. Briffa), T. Paris, J. Talcevski, J. Farrugia, J. Chetcuti, J. Zammit, M. Borg Olivier (K. Zammit).

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.