Swallows stroll to semis

Marsa 1
Dingli Swallows 4

Dingli Swallows made up for their FA Trophy exit at the hands of Ham-run last week after hammering Marsa 4-1 yesterday to join Mosta, Tarxien and Vittoriosa in the semi-finals of the Division One KO competition.

Dingli were the better side for most of the match and were rarely troubled by Marsa.

The Swallows made their intentions clear by going all-out in attack from the early stages. After a series of missed chances, with Etienne Farrugia very active on the right wing, Dingli took the lead. Mark Galea reached a Farrugia delivery inside the box before releasing Uchanna Anywanna who blasted home from close in.

That was the 17th minute and Marsa's first shot at goal arrived two minutes later but Ivan Borg's effort was stopped by Jeffrey Farrugia.

Dingli scored again on 26 minutes. Kurt Formosa sent a perfect cross for Roderick Spiteri whose shot flew past stand-in keeper Paul Medina.

Five minutes after the restart, Dingli scored again. Farrugia was the provider, this time his cross was met by Galea who headed home - 3-0.

Marsa pulled one goal back late on when Warren Chircop hit home after a goalmouth scramble. However, Dingli regained their three-goal lead in stoppage time thanks to a goal from substitute Jonathan Sapiano.

These two teams clash again this weekend in a league match with Marsa in dire need of points to escape the drop.

Marsa: P. Medina, J. Rizzo, S. Cutajar, J. Borg, C. Sacco (J. Dalli), I. Borg (B. Zammit), J.P. Zammit, K. Cassar, N. Zammit (J. Achokwu), K. Scerri, W. Chircop.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, E. Casha, R. Spiteri, M. Galea (J. Sapiano), V. Fiteni, C. Muscat (B. Galea), J. Agius, J. Cachia (C. Tabone), K. Formosa, E. Farrugia, U. Anywanna.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Etienne Farrugia (Dingli).