Come Saturday, Sliema Wanderers, the most decorated club in the history of Maltese football, and Balzan, the emerging force of the Premier League, will be going head-to-head in the final of the FA Trophy.

A 1-0 win over the more-quoted Birkirkara kept alive Sliema’s dream of extending their KO record to 21 victories while Balzan stayed on course to inscribe their name on the trophy for the first time after overcoming Pembroke Athleta 3-1 in extra-time on Sunday.

Mark Scerri, the Sliema Wanderers midfielder who caught the eye with an all-action performance on Saturday, believes that the underdog status suited the Blues ahead of their semi-final clash with Birkirkara.

“I think it helped us,” Scerri said.

“The way Birkirkara were playing, they had reached their best form over the past weeks. No-one really gave us a chance but we used this factor to strengthen our unity and perform better on the day.”

Denni’s close-range finish on the cusp of half-time, after Scerri had made a ghosting run into the box before setting up the Brazilian, decided a tight but largely scrappy cup tie in which the Wanderers were the more enterprising side.

“Tactically, we were very good. We knew that we couldn’t afford to make mistakes as Birkirkara would punish us,” Scerri said.

“In cup ties, there’s little margin for error but we didn’t commit many as we were organised and focused throughout. This is what tilted the balance in our favour.”

Their showing on Saturday ought to have restored Sliema’s confidence and self-belief after an uninspiring season.

“From a players’ perspective, we always knew that we were capable of playing good football but something was holding us from showing our true potential,” Scerri said.

“This performance has en-hanced our conviction that we can do well.”

If there was a player who typified Sliema’s resolve last weekend it was certainly Scerri as he bossed the midfield before dropping to left-back after Gary Muir’s 71st-minute dismissal.

The general view at the end of the game was that Scerri was the man-of-the-match but he insisted that it was a team effort.

“I hope so,” Scerri replied when asked if he feels that he is back to his best.

“But the whole team was good. It was a collective effort and we were strong in all departments.”

While Sliema had justified cause to be elated after their hard-earned win over Birkirkara, they can’t get carried away as the job is not done yet.

Being favourite on paper is one thing but what happens on the pitch is another

Scerri agreed.

“Balzan have a formidable squad,” the 26-year-old said.

“The signings they made last summer and in the January transfer window have turned them into one of the most competitive teams in the country.

“However, this is a final and it’s 50-50… there are no underdogs.

“We are pleased with our match against Birkirkara but we know that we haven’t won anything yet.”

Balzan will be upbeat about their chances of winning their first major honour after seeing off Pembroke.

The sight of Bojan Kaljevic heading home the second goal eight minutes into extra-time will have further lifted Balzan’s spirits as the Montenegrin striker looks to be regaining his fitness and sharpness after an injury-ravaged season.

“I’m very happy for the club and the people of Balzan that the team has reached the final of the FA Trophy,” Kaljevic said.

“With regards to my goal, I’m obviously satisfied but without the help of my team-mates, it wouldn’t have been possible.

“I’m now looking forward to the final and motivated to give my all to help Balzan win the Trophy.”

Kaljevic’s goal swayed Sunday’s semi-final Balzan’s way after Alan Da Silva Souza had cancelled out Ariel Laudisi’s first-half opener with only 10 minutes remaining.

“To be honest, I have a lot of respect for Pembroke Athleta,” Kaljevic said. “Everyone was predicting a Balzan-Birkirkara final but look at what happened to Birkirkara in the other semi-final.

“Being favourite on paper is one thing but what happens on the pitch is another. Nobody is prepared to give anything away.

“If Pembroke had won the game, I don’t think many would have said ‘wow’ because they’ve been playing well.”

The 30-year-old forward views Saturday’s showdown against the Wanderers as a 50-50 affair.

“Since (Alfonso) Greco returned as coach of Sliema, they started to play better,” Kaljevic said.

“My opinion is that there are no favourites here. Maybe Balzan look stronger because we finished fourth and ahead of Sliema in the league but I have no doubt that it will be a very tough game against strong opposition.”