Ħamrun Spartans 2
Vittoriosa Stars 2
(aet; Ħamrun win 3-1 on pens)
Division Two leaders Ħamrun Spartans progressed to the third round of the FA Trophy after they edged past Vittoriosa Stars 4-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time.
Vittoriosa were the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead. But the Spartans were a transformed side after the interval and turned the result in their favour.
However, a late penalty, scored by Anthony Evi Parker, forced extra-time. No goals were scored during the extra 30 minutes and penalties were needed to declare a winner.
Here, young Ħamrun goalkeeper Jean Debattista was the protagonist when he saved three penalties to send the Spartans into the third round.
Vittoriosa, forged ahead after 10 minutes when Vittorio Di Maggio slotted the ball home from an Eviparker pass.
Seven minutes later Eviparker hit the crossbar from the edge of the area after a good pass by Di Maggio.
On 33 minutes Debattista effected a fine reflex save to deny Gilbert Martin while at the other end Saturday Nanapere brought the best out of Mercieca.
Ħamrun equalised on 62 minutes when Ryan Spiteri picked up a clearance from just outside the area to shoot home with a crisp low shot.
Ħamrun now were on top and on 71 minutes they forged ahead when Alan Tabone scored directly from a free-kick.
Four minutes from time Martin was brought down by goalkeeper Debattista. A penalty was awarded with Eviparker drilling the ball home.
Vittoriosa were reduced to ten men on 99 minutes when Martin was dismissed for dissent.
The game went into penalties with Kenneth Scicluna, Arriagada, and Malcolm Buttigieg missing the first three penalties for Vittoriosa, while for Ħamrun, Tabone and Spiteri converted while Ryan Refalo missed.
Michael Camilleri scored the first penalty for the Stars but Nanapere scored the decisive goal that put the Spartans into the next round.
Ħamrun: J. Debattista, A. Attard, L. Grech, M. Busuttil, A. White (A. Sicali), A. Tabone, R. Spiteri, J. Grech, S. Shead (R. Refalo), S. Nana-pere, C. Cacciatolo (A. Micallef).
Vittoriosa: J. Mercieca, R. Mifsud, C. Sammut (F. Tomasello), V. Di Maggio (G. Sultana), F. Arriagada , G. Martin, M. Buttigieg, M. Camilleri, A. Eviparker, L. Gauci (K. Scicluna), C. Spiteri.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
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