Xewkija Tigers overcame fellow Division One rivals Victoria Hotspurs 3-2 in the GFA Cup quarter-finals as holders Nadur Youngsters joined the last four of the competition after a com-fortable 6-0 win over Sannat Lions.
The Hotspurs looked more likely to open the scoring but on 24 minutes, a short clearance by goalkeeper Matthew Vella landed at the feet of Chris Camilleri who chipped the ball into the net from the distance.
The Citizens regained their composure but had to wait until the 58th minute to level, Rodney Buttigieg heading home from a Jonathan Bajada cross.
Xewkija hit back with a Daniel Bogdanovic goal but the Hotspurs were not demoralised.
Despite having a penalty claim, for a handball inside Xewkija’s box, turned down by the referee, the Hotspurs pulled level with 20 minutes left with a Nikola Vasilic grounder.
Victory could have gone either way but in the end it was Xewkija who booked their place in the semi-finals when Moussa Bamba committed an own goal in his attempt to clear Kenneth Mer-cieca’s cross.
Nadur dominated their game against Sannat.
They took the lead early on through Joseph Grima and practically made sure before half-time with a Christian Debono double and goals from Joseph Vella and Claudio Antunes.
The Youngsters lifted their foot off the pedal after the break and Sannat started to share play but the holders still found time to add to their lead when Vella hit home late on.
Oratory Youths, beaten finalists last year, will be playing Nadur in the semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Kerċem Ajax.
An own goal by Keith Borg gave Kerċem the lead midway into the first half.
Kerċem, however, failed to impose their superiority on the Youths who gradually came more into the picture before Mark Camilleri scored the equaliser soon after the restart.
Oratory were the better team now and after a Thiago Dos Santos ‘goal’ was disallowed for offside, they scored the decisive goal nine minutes from time when Camilleri hit home following a quick counter-break.
Last-gasp winner
The all-Division Two cup tie between Għajnsielem and Għarb Rangers was decided by a late Jason Portelli goal.
The Blacks were the more enterprising side in the opening period but only managed to score once through Charlon Tabone seven minutes from the end of the first half.
Rangers did well not to concede more goals and doubled up their efforts in the late stages of the match.
Their pressure paid off as they levelled matters with a Stephen Apap goal.
Extra-time loomed but five minutes into added time Għajn-sielem grabbed the winner thanks to Portelli following a pass by Tabone.
The Blacks will meet Xewkija in the semi-finals, to be played in spring after the end of the league championship.