Marsaskala 0
Żebbuġ Rangers 3
Żebbuġ were the first team through to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy after staving off the challenge from Division Three side Marsa-skala at the Centenary Stadium, .
Rangers are in the driving seat in Division Two and favourites for promotion and continued to advance in this competition having eliminated Sliema Wanderers in the previous round.
The opening stages were balanced although Rangers soon took control and had an Omar Rababah grounder that was turned away for a corner.
Marsaskala hit back strongly and Marko Milutinovic was unlucky to see his header hitting the bar from a Matthew Caruana cross.
The tempo slowed significantly after that aupicious start. However, just before half-time Miguel Francica rose high inside the box to head home from close range to break the seasiders’ resistance.
Jesmond Zammit’s side could have made it 2-0 soon after but Maurizio Rodriguez Britto missed the target from close in.
Żebbuġ made the game safe on 67 minutes when Milutinovic headed inside his own net after a menacing Alan Tabone delivery had created panic inside the Marsaskala penalty area.
Żebbug hit a third goal in stoppage time as a John Nwoba scorcher left him helpless.
Marsascala: C. Camilleri, C. Bordieri (V. Camilleri), M. Bajada, M. Milutinovic, S. Camilleri, R. Cauchi, J. Galdes, E. Gauci, A. Portelli (N. Abela), M. Caruana, B. Dalli (J. Gerada).
Żebbuġ: J. Verbino, L. Camilleri, M. Francica, L. Galea, M. Farrugia, L. Agius, A. Tabone (W. Camenzuli), S. Hili (D. D’Agostino) O. Rababah, J. Nwoba, M. Rodriguez Britto.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
St Andrew’s 4
Mqabba 1
(after extra-time)
Trayo Grozev was the main protagonist in this match after the Bulgarian struck a hat-trick in extra-time to propel his team into the quarter-finals at the expense of Mqabba.
After the two teams scored a goal each in normal time, St Andrew’s gradually started to grow in stature and with Grozev taking centre stage there was little chance for Mqabba to fight back.
It was St Andrew’s who threatened first after two minutes when Michael Johnson headed just wide a Joseph Farrugia corner.
Mqabba’s response produced an opener on 21 minutes. Joseph Okonkwo hit a low drive that rolled past Matthew Towns.
The Saints were close seven minutes later but Kris Calleja did well to push away Johnson’s shot.
On 37 minutes Grozev was floored in the area by Suleiman but from the resultant penalty Calleja blocked Joseph Farrugia’s shot.
However, the Saints levelled when Brian Said headed home from a Farrugia free-kick.
On the hour a Grozev drive was saved by Calleja while at the other end Suleiman’s shot finished over.
St Andrew’s soon seized the initiative in extra-time as on 109 minutes Grozev’s low shot from an acute angle flew into the net.
The Bulgarian struck again two minutes later when he tapped home a Kerekov pass.
In time added on Grozev completed his hat-trick when his team were awarded a penalty awarded for a handball.
St Andrew’s: M. Towns, N. Chetcuti, B, Diacono, J. Briscoe White, B. Said, M. Johnson, N. Vella Petroni, J. Farrugia, P. Anizoba (L. Cesareo), R. Kerekov, T. Grozev.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, J. Anegbe, K. Suleman, O. Farrugia( M.A.Psaila), C. Calleja, R. W. Akande, J. Okonkwo, C. Micallef, J. C. Achokwu, D. Bonnici.
Referee: Andrè Arciola.