St Andrew’s 0
Birkirkara 4
Ryan Camenzuli opened and closed the scoring for Birkirkara as the Malta champions overcame the challenge of Division One side St Andrew’s to reach the U*Bet FA Trophy quarter-finals yesterday.
With one eye on Saturday’s league match against Tarxien Rainbows, the Stripes yesterday opted to rest a number of first-team players. But despite the changes they still proved to be a cut above their opponents who failed to put up a fighth.
Camenzuli opened the score early on and Matheus Bissi added a second shy the half hour mark.
Brazilian Jhonnattann, a second hand substitute, managed to put his name on the scoresheet, before Camenzuli added another goal as the Stripes extended their winning run to 14 matches in all competitions.
Paul Zammit tested the depth of his squad by giving his supporting cast the chance to shine as he made no less than six changes from the side that crushed Naxxar Lions side 7-1 on Saturday.
But unwillingly to give St Andrew’s any encouragement, he still fielded a very strong side with Gareth Sciberras and Ryan Scicluna bossing midfield with a combination of guile and muscle while Shola Shodiya Haruna and Frank Temile formed their attacking tandem.
Although it was a largely second-string Birkirkara side, Zammit’s troops started the better of the two, finding their passing rhythm early on as Temile saw his effort going over the bar.
After easing their way into the match, the Stripes took the lead after 12 minutes. Haruna advanced through the centre of the pitch, sweeping a precise pass for Camenzuli before the latter sent an angled finish past Matthew Towns, the St Andrew’s goalkeeper.
The Saints defence had no answer to Birkirkara’s attacking variety and the second goal was only a matter of time.
The clock marked 26 minutes when the Stripes were awarded a corner-kick. Camenzuli’s looping cross found Zach Muscat at the far post and the Malta U-21 defender tapped the ball into the path of Bissi who hit a firm drive past the St Andrew’s goalkeeper.
St Andrew’s had their first glimpse of goal, five minutes from half-time.
Trayo Grozev found himself in ample space after a wicked deflection and his firm drive was blocked in two attempts by Birkirkara goalkeeper Reuben Gauci.
After the change of ends, St Andrew’s maintained their plan of trying to cram their defence and midfield in a bid to close all spaces to the Birkirkara forwards as they looked to at least leave the Tedesco Stadium with a respectable result.
The Stripes dominated for long stretches but rarely moved out of second gear. After 66 minutes, Zammit introduced Jhonnattann as he looked for a way to inject more creativity in the final third.
But it was St Andrew’s who mustered an inviting opportunity as Grozev guided a teasing cross into the box for Emiliano Lattes but the Argentine midfielder shot over the bar.
It was only a matter of time before Jhonnattann left his mark in the match as the Brazilian striker scored a beautiful goal.
Camenzuli picked Haruna and the Nigerian quickly nodded the ball into the path of the nippy Brazilian who managed to lob the ball over the onrushing Towns.
Any suggestion the Stripes might settle for a three-goal margin was dismissed three minutes from time.
Birkirkara substitute Russell Gatt de Raffaele sent a dipping cross into the path of Camenzuli who beat Towns with a firm header to seal the Malta champions’ passage to the quarter-finals.
St Andrew’s: M. Towns, N. Chetcuti, B. Said, J. Briscoe White, D. Micallef (81 K. Roomes), A. Amato, J. Farrugia, M. Guillaumier (71 N. Vella Petroni), A. Podda (55 K. Nwoko), E. Lattes, T. Grozev.
Birkirkara: R. Gauci, R. Camenzuli, A. Mendoza, M. Bissi, Z. Muscat, G. Sciberras, F. Temile (76 J. Zerafa), R. Scicluna (66 Jhonnattann), S.S. Haruna (82 R. Gatt de Raffaele), D. Zerafa, T. Vella.
Referee: Mario Apap.
Playing today
Centenary Stadium: 6pm Hibernians vs Pietà Hotspurs; 8.15pm Floriana vs Naxxar Lions.
Tedesco Stadium: 6pm Sliema vs Balzan; 8.15pm Valletta vs Mosta.
Kerċem Stadium: 6pm Kerċem Ajax vs Rabat Ajax.