Raiders earned their first ever passage to the semi-finals of the women's knock-out last Sunday after beating Melita 1-0 despite starting the preliminary round match with only 10 outfield players.

The match turned out to be a balanced affair with both teams trying to hit an early goal.

On 15 minutes, Melita's Maria Azzopardi had an effort saved by Farrugia in the Raiders' goal.

On the half hour, Raiders netted what proved to be the winner when they were awarded a penalty after Marcia Zammit was floored in the Melita area by Denise Allingham. Zammit duly converted from the spot.

After the change of ends, Melita pounded the Raiders' fort but they found goalkeeper Farrugia in vintage form as her saves enabled the Raiders to set up a semi-final clash with league runners-up Birkirkara.

In the other preliminary round match played at the Pace Grasso Ground, Mosta found little difficulty in seeing off Rabat 2-0.

Mosta, who take on champions Hibernians in the semi-finals, were the better side but they had to wait until the 55th minute to break down Rabat's solid rearguard.

Jane Coates ably controlled a Roxanne Gatt pass before putting the ball past goalkeeper Galea with an angled shot.

Mosta sealed their qualification five minutes later when Marisa Deguara won possession in midfield and unleashed a fine shot that had the better of the Rabat goalkeeper.

Sunday's fixtures: Knock-Out semi-finals - 9 a.m. Mosta vs Hibernians; 10.30 a.m. Raiders vs Birkirkara.