FA Trophy: Pembroke floor Pietà in extra-time to reach semis

PEMBROKE-3, PIETÀ HOTSPURS-1 (AET)

Pembroke Athleta scored twice in the second half of extra-time to break the resistance of Pietà Hotspurs and advance to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history.

Pembroke deserved to go through as they dominated the game but were frustrated time and again by the Hotspurs, the only Division One side to reach the quarter-finals for whom goalkeeper Miguel Montfort had a good game.
Pembroke Athleta dominated the first half but had to wait until two minutes from half-time to take the lead.

Ariel Laudisi picked up a loose ball in a central position and hit a fine drive that left Miguel Montfort motionless.

Before Laudisi's opener, Pietà had created a good chance from a counter-attack but Clive Gauci's grounder from inside the box was blocked by Mario Muscat, the Pembroke goalkeeper.

Pietà levelled matters eight minutes into the second half. Profiting from a poor Kyle O'Brien backpass, Roland Emeka advanced before beating Muscat with a rising shot that went in via the crossbar.

Laudisi was unlucky not to re-establish his team's lead as his grounder, after Pietà had blocked a dangerous run from Arab, came off the post.
Pembroke were again unlucky as Obinna Obiefule's header, from Mano Micallef's assist, hit the crossbar. Laudisi was also denied by the woodwork from a free-kick.

Despite pressing hard for a winner, Pembroke were unable to breach the Pietà defence as the game went into extra-time.
No goals were scored in the first half of added time but Pembroke finally scored five minutes into the second half thanks to Micallef.

Terence Agius, a second-half substitute, scored Pembroke's third with a simple tap-in after receiving from Laudisi who had run clear on the counter.