St George’s 2
St Andrew’s 2

(St George’s win 5-4 on pens)

St George’s reached the third round of the FA Trophy after eliminating St Andrew’s on penalties as after 120 minutes both sides were still locked in a 2-2 draw.

The St George’s keeper made two fine saves in the shoot-out as St Andrew’s missed three in all when Emiliano Lattes was denied by the woodwork.

St George’s forged ahead after only 10 minutes when Noah Ojiula headed over goalkeeper Jake Galea from a free-kick.

St Andrew’s came back into the match and Nicky Vella drove his shot just over the goal-frame following a Trayo Grozev cross.

Billy Mock’s side had another chance when Grozev headed firmly goalwards but his effort was stopped by goalkeeper Claude Carbonaro.

On resumption it was the side from Cottonera that started playing the better football but in their first real foray after the break St Andrews drew level when the unmarked Grozev hit home from close range.

Now it was St Andrew’s who took control of the match and Lattes, after dribbling past two defenders, saw his shot going just wide.

The match dragged into extra-time. Substitute Gabriel Okechu-kwu and Wisdom Ifeunyi combined perfectly with the latter beating goalkeeper Galea but there was Lattes who saved his side by clearing off the line.

On 102 minutes Ojiula did well to create space but shot just wide from a good position.

St Andrew’s went ahead on 109 minutes when Marko Ivanovic hit a scorcher from a Desira Buttigieg pass to beat Carbonaro.

But St George’s equalised three minutes later when Okechukwu sprinted down the left and beat Galea with a low drive.

Penalties were to decide the issue and the verdict went to St George’s.

St George’s: C. Carbonaro, R. Tanti, R. Vella, A. Bonello, N. Ojiula, Liam Mallia (A. Hales), E. Amaira, D. Zerafa, T. Caruana (G. Okechukwu), W. Ifeunyi, Larson Mallia (M. Tanti).

St Andrew’s: J. Galea, C. Cumbo, E. Grech (K. Nwoko), M. Ivanovic, J. Farrugia, J. Falzon (D. Camilleri), N. Vella Petroni (J. Walker), B. Said, E. Lattes, T. Grozev, M. Desira Buttigieg.

Referee: Stefan Pace.