BIRKIRKARA-2, FLORIANA-0

Birkirkara moved a step closer to defending their FA Trophy title after beating Floriana 2-0 to reach the semi-finals.

It was a merited win for the Stripes as they were streets ahead of their opponents in the first half, scoring twice in the opening 23 minutes, to all but seal their qualification to the last four.

Birkirkara were the better team in the first half, storming into a two-goal lead inside the opening 25 minutes.

They took just six minutes to go ahead. Gareth Sciberras's cross from the right dropped to Vito Plut whose drive from close in came off Floriana defender Emanuel Briffa who deflected the ball into his own net.

Birkirkara doubled their lead on 23 minutes when Mauricio Mazzetti's angled free-kick beat Floriana goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona at his near post.
Floriana, low-key for most of the opening half, created only one chance of note when Enrico Pepe headed Nicolas Chiesa's free-kick towards the unmarked Mario Fontanella who blasted high.

The Greens upped their tempo at the start of the second half but Birkirkara goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric stopped attempts from Emerson Marcelina and Chiesa.
Reprieved, Birkirkara created two chances of their own but Calleja Cremona twice kept out dangerous efforts from Camenzuli, the first from a free-kick.
Mazzetti's free-kick was also tamed by the Floriana goalkeeper. 

The Stripes came close to added to their lead when Edmond Agius, who had come on for Ryan Scicluna, dashed past two players before releasing Camenzuli but the latter's outswinger was wide.

Steve Bonnici, who had just come on for Briffa, had a golden chance to get Floriana back into contention as Piciollo's pass found him unmarked but his effort was saved by Kopric.

At the other end, Temile twice ran hit of the Floriana defenders but his drive was stopped by Calleja Cremona and his second attempt, just minutes later, grazed the side-netting.

Agius was also wide as Birkirkara were exploiting the gaps left by Floriana's flat-out approach. 

Villa's cross-shot for Floriana came off the crossbar.