Żejtun surprise Lija

Żejtun Corinthians 2
Lija Athletics 0
(after extra-time)

Division Three team Żejtun, backed by a vociferous crowd, earned a place in the semi-finals after eliminating Division Two front-runners Lija in extra-time.

Lija dictated the run of play during the first half and efforts by Lydon Cilia and Martin Camilleri were both neutralised by keeper Ranier Farrugia.

Jesmar Abela then went close for Żejtun and Lija striker Antoine Sacco almost scored but his header was stopped by Farrugia.

Żejtun looked better as the second half got underway but Lija created the first opportunity through Cilia whose shot rolled just wide.

Kenneth Abela's shot thumped against the Lija woodwork and on another occasion an effort by Carmel Formosa was blocked by Bonnici. In stoppage time, Żejtun hit the post from a Charlò Magro free-kick.

The first half of extra-time proved uneventful but four minutes into the second half Abela headed the Corinthians into the lead following an Edward Azzopardi free-kick.

Despite Lija's reaction it was Żejtun who managed to score a second goal just before the final whistle through Formosa.

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, E. Giordemaina, E. Azzopardi, C. Magro, J. Cachia (M. Pisani), G. Busuttil, V. Camilleri, J. Abela, M. Galea (C. Formosa), A. Portelli (J.P. Abela), K. Abela.

Lija: L. Bonnici, M. Camilleri (H. Schembri), M. Mangion, A. Saliba, D. Scerri, M. Borg (L. Desira Buttigieg), L. Cilia, A. Sacco, J.P. Scerri, A. Scicluna, B. Antignolo (M. Schembri).

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Mellieħa 3

Two weeks ago Mellieħa beat Żebbuġ in a Division Two match and last weekend they repeated the act to easily oust Rangers from the cup competition.

The initial stages saw both sides playing cautiously but midway through the half Mellieħa opened the score when defender George Saliba committed an own goal in his attempt to clear an Ibrahim Tarek shot in the Rangers' box.

Two minutes later, Mellieħa could have increased their lead but a shot by Reuben Vella was cleared off the line. Just before the break Mellieħa captain Kevin Gauci shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Mellieħa were denied by Bartolo off a strike by Tarek soon after the restart and the Żebbuġ keeper was again on hand to stop a shot by Rio Micallef.

Rangers tried to get back in contention but their hopes were practically dashed on 68 minutes. An Alex Portelli shot was partially saved by Bartolo and in came William Borg who hammered home the rebound to make it 2-0.

The bar stopped Reuben Vella from adding another goal for Mellieħa and at the other end a Mark Deguara effort came off the woodwork. Mellieħa added a third goal late on scored by Philip Camilleri.

Żebbuġ: B. Bartolo, G. Saliba, J. Mercieca, E. Calleja, R. Ellul (S. Calleja), M. Cilia (D. Farrugia), A. Lagana, M. Vella, J. Cilia, M. Deguara, G. Frendo.

Mellieħa: S. Gauci, J. Gauci, A. Portelli, M. Vella, H. Vella, W. Borg, K. Gauci, R. Vella (J. Vella), I. Tarek (M. Borg), P. Camilleri, R. Micallef (A. Aquilina).

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.