Gudja United 2
Senglea Athletics 0

Division One team Gudja United booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy after beating Senglea Athletics 2-0 at the Tedesco Stadium, yesterday.

Senglea, now plying their trade in Division Three, put up a strong fight but two goals in the last 17 minutes, coupled with the late expulsion of Glenn Brincat, ruined their hopes of extending their run in the knockout competition.

The ‘underdogs’ were first to threaten when, after 12 minutes, Dylan Xuereb’s free-kick came off the post.

Gudja also hit the woodwork when Kiril Aleksandrov’s effort was deflected on to a post after Ryan Sell had flicked Daniel Bonnici’s cross towards the Bulgarian.

Gudja began to dictate matters as the first half progressed. Aleksandrov headed over from a Cosmin Anton corner.

Yet, Senglea refused to lie down and goalkeeper Matthew Xerxen prevented them from taking the lead when pushing away Kevin Galea’s effort.

Senglea upped their game after half-time.

On the hour, Dennis Fenech’s men fashioned another scoring chance when Xuereb’s volley was slightly off target.

With 17 minutes remaining, Gudja opened the scoring. Anton’s corner was nodded on by Aleksandrov and Alan Abela directed his header into the net.

Senglea suffered a further blow nine minutes from time when Brincat was dismissed for two yellow cards. Gudja applied the killer blow soon after when Anton doubled their lead with a curling free-kick.

Gudja: M. Xerxen, R. Buhagiar (80 J. Tonna), A. Abela, D. Bonnici, R. Kovachev, K. Bonello (57 P.P. Sammut), G. Chircop, I. Kurtusic, C. Anton, R. Sell, K. Aleksandrov (88 J. Mallia).

Senglea: J. Mercieca, E. Azzopardi, R. Galea, S. Aquilina, V. Camilleri, R. Perkins, G. Brincat, P. Camilleri (75 Trevor Thomas), B. Zerafa (85 R. Tanti), K. Galea, D. Xuereb (87 J. Spiteri).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.