Birkirkara 7
Liliu 4, 11, 21; Camenzuli 47, 61; Shodiya 54; Fenech 79;
Ħamrun Spartans 1
Spiteri 90;
Liliu was the toast of Birkirkara yesterday as the Brazilian striker bagged a hat-trick to inspire the Stripes to a crushing 7-1 victory over Ħamrun Spartans to ease into the Last 16 of the FA Trophy.
There was a huge gulf in class between the two sides with the Stripes constantly on the offensive with the Spartans giving everything they can to try and contain the damage.
Both sides could bank on their strongest formation.
Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit named Leighton Grech, Edmond Agius, Ryan Camenzuli and Shola Shodiya in his starting formation while opting to give a rest to Rafael Ledesma, Gareth Sciberras and Edward Herrera.
Steve D’Amato, the Ħamrun coach fielded his best elements.
The Stripes made their intentions clear right from the start, taking the lead after just four minutes courtesy of an angled shot by Liliu from the left which had the better of goalkeeper Jean Claude Debattista.
Birkirkara doubled the score on 11 minutes when Liliu was first to an Edmond Agius corner and planted a header past Debattista.
Liliu completed his hat-trick on 21 minutes when from another Agius corner, the Brazilian forward beat Debattista with a fine header.
Two minutes into the second half, Ryan Camenzuli exchanged the ball with Grech before beating the Ħamrun custodian with a powerful angled shot from the left.
Birkirkara struck their fifth goal on 54 minutes when Ryan Scicluna released Shola Haruna who hit a rasping volley that flew past Debattista.
Birkirkara further increased their lead on 61 minutes when Camenzuli concluded a fine solo effort by rounding a defender before hitting hard past the Ħamrun goalkeeper.
In an isolated opportunity for the Spartans, a free-kick by Alan Tabone ended just over the bar on 63 minutes.
Paul Fenech made it 7-0 on the 79th minute with a great volley from outside the area following a clearance by a Ħamrun defender.
Ħamrun scored a consolation goal in stoppage time with a powerful drive from Ryan Spiteri after he was set up by Saturday Nanapere.
Birkirkara: J. Haber, M. Bissi, Liliu (57 K. Zammit), H. Shola, L. Grech, N. Vukanac (57 A. Borg), E. Agius, Z. Muscat, P. Fenech, R. Camenzuli, R. Scicluna (72 G. Sciberras).
Ħamrun: J.C. Debattista, A. Sicali (66 A. Micallef), L. Grech, M. Busuttil, A. Attard, A. Tabone, R. Spiteri, J. Grech, E. Briffa, S. Nanapere, C. Cacciattolo (54 R. Refalo).
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Yellow card: Attard.