Rabat Ajax 1
Pembroke 2
Pembroke progressed to the third round of the FA Trophy following a merited victory over Rabat Ajax at the Luxol Stadium yesterday.
Pembroke were the better team throughout with their Nigerian striker Lucky Omerou, scorer of a well-taken brace, proving a constant menace for the Rabat defence.
Rabat only managed to show some guile in the closing stages after pulling back a goal but it was too little too late for them.
Pembroke had the first attempt at goal after five minutes with Ariel Laudisi hitting just over the bar following a cross by Roderick Bajada.
Ten minutes later, Omerou served Lydon Micallef inside the area and the latter anticipated the goalkeeper but the ball ended just wide.
Pembroke forged ahead in the 18th minute when an angled shot from the left by Matthew Thorne was not held by Jamie Azzopardi and from the rebound, Omeruo placed the ball into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, Rabat replied with a Luke Cauchi solo effort that finished over the bar.
On the half hour, an Adam Smeir free-kick ended just over the bar.
Pembroke doubled the score eight minutes from the end of the first half.
Nigerian striker Omeruo concluded a fine solo effort with a low powerful shot which beat Azzopardi.
Jamie Azzopardi performed a good save on an Ariel Laudisi effort in the 52nd minute and a minute later, Geoffrey Spiteri had a shot which scraped past the post.
The Rabat custodian turned into a corner a fine rising shot by Laudisi on the 70th and from the resulting corner, Omeruo’s header was again parried by the Rabat goalkeeper.
Rabat pulled one back 11 minutes from time thanks to David Azzopardi whose well-taken free-kick beat goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.
The Magpies mounted a late rally in a bid to try and force extra-time but Pembroke administered their advantage till the final whistle to book their place in the next round
Pembroke: A. Cassar, N. Grech, R. Caruana, O. Sidibe, T. Fenech ( A. Agius), A. Laudisi, G. Spiteri, L. Omeruo, L. Micallef, R. Bajada, M. Thorne (B. Bugeja).
Rabat: J. Azzopardi, L. Cauchi, S. Gauci (S. Abela), A. Smeir, D. Falzon, D. Galea (C. Vella), S. Cortis, E. Scicluna, D. Azzopardi, Z. Tanti (W. Borg), K. Muscat.
Referee: Glenn Tonna.