Mosta striker Matteus (left) battles with Moises Avila-Perez.

Gżira United 1
Avila Perez 60 pen;
Mosta 4
Roberts 31,83; Matteus 55; Milovanovic 90;

Mosta overcame the challenge of last year’s semi-finalists Gżira United to secure a place in the last eight of the FA Trophy yesterday.

Mosta were a cut above their opponents with Gary Roberts netting a brace with the other goals coming from Matteus and Nemanja Milovanovic.

Gżira had only a Moises Avila-Perez penalty conversion to show as they could not match the quality of their Premier League opponents.

There is no doubt that Mosta have finally added some quality players during this month’s transfer window as new signings Roberts and Ian Zammit coupled with the trickery of Matteus caused considerable damage to the Maroons.

Mosta were prudent in the opening exchanges but having weathered Gżira’s early flurry, the Blues gradually began to impose their superior technical qualities.

After an early shot by Ryan Dalli was tipped over the bar by Kyle Gerada, Mosta went on the warpath.

Just past the hour mark, Mosta won a free-kick a few metres outside the area. From the ensuing dead ball, Roberts curled an inswinger that flew into the top corner.

Matteus was a veritable thorn in the heart of the Gżira defence.

Just before the break his low drive brought a good tipping save by Frederick Tabone, the Gżira goalkeeper.

Ten minutes into the restart, Mosta doubled their lead with a fluid move involving Diogo, Zammit and Matteus.

The former Valletta striker chested the ball down for Diogo who did well to find Matteus with a perfect lob before the striker shot low past Tabone.

Gżira reduced the gap against the run of play on the hour mark.

The goal came from a penalty when Tyrone Farrugia was adjudged to have handled Anthony Ewurun’s cross. From the spot, Avila-Perez made no mistake.

Gżira remained dangerous on the counter. In one such attack, 12 minutes from time, Dalli powered his way through but his effort flew over the bar.

Six minutes from time, Roberts restored Mosta’s two-goal cushion after fine work by Zammit opened a clear way for the midfielder to apply the killer touch with a low shot from outside the box.

Just before the final whistle, Gżira were staring blankly as Mosta scored their fourth goal with a brilliant swerving shot into the top corner from substitute Milovanovic who was released by Zachary Brincat with an audacious back-heel.

Gżira finished the match with ten men when Sergio Moreno Marin was given his marching orders.

Gżira: F. Tabone, S. Moreno Marin, D. Vukovic, S. Meilak (88 J. Camilleri), A. Ewurun, M. Avila Perez, J. Pace, G. Aquilina (88 D. Agius), E. Ndjodo, R. Dalli, Y. Tonna (60 J. Nwoba).

Mosta: K. Gerada, R. Ekani, T. Farrugia, Y. Ossok, K. Pulo, G. Roberts, J. Brincat (57 R. Grech), K. Magro, I. Zammit, Matteus (89 Z. Brincat), Diogo (68 N. Milovanovic).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Playing today
Centenary Stadium: 18.00 Gudja vs Sirens; 20.15 Siġġiewi vs Birkirkara.
Gozo Stadium: 18.00 Victoria Hots-purs vs Pietà Hotspurs; 20.00 Nadur Youngsters vs Hibs.
Tedesco Stadium: 18.00 Balzan vs Żabbar SP; 20.15 Floriana vs Qormi.