BIRKIRKARA-3, PIETÀ HOTSPURS-0
Birkirkara became the fourth and final team to reach the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after beating fellow Premier League side Pietà Hotspurs 3-0 this afternoon.
Nassir Maachi played a key a role in Birkirkara's success as the Dutch striker marked his first start for the Stripes with a well-taken double, the second coming 14 minutes from time to end the Hotspurs' hopes of comeback.
Less than 30 seconds from the start had passed when Nassir Maachi came close to giving Birkirkara the lead. Cutting in from the left, Maachi's angled shot deceived David Cassar, the Pietà goalkeeper, but the ball hit the post.
The Stripes created another chance after eight minutes. Zach Muscat sent in a low cross that rolled across the penalty area and into the path of midfielder Edmond Agius who swerving effort was high.
Shola Haruna then stole the attention as he met Ryan Camenzuli's pass with a superb volley that flashed wide of the asr post.
The Nigerian was again involved when Birkirkara opened the scoring on 12 minutes as his inviting cross from the right was headed home by Maachi for his first goal in a Birkirkara shirt.
In a rare attack, the Hotspurs threatened to equalise as Argentine Claudio Frances ran towards the box after Birkirkara lost possession but his low strike was pushed away by Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
From the ensuing corner, taken by Frances, Birkirkara's Ryan Scicluna miscued his clearance, sending the ball whizzing past the upright.
Maachi met Agius's corner from the right but his header was easily saved by Cassar.
The Hotspurs improved as the first half moved on. The influential Claudio Frances hit a through-ball to the advancing Christian Grech on 33 minutes but the defender's low effort was saved by the alert Haber.
Before half-time, Pietà's Ricardo Costa veered infield from the left but his central drive was saved by Haber.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Camenzuli ran into the box after being played in by Maachi but his cross-cum-shot skimmed the crossbar.
Maachi then darted past Grech before arrowing a fierce shot that sailed wide of the far post.
Birkirkara continued to produce the better chances.
Nikola Vukanac headed wide from Agius's corner on 64 minutes and, shortly afterwards, Haruna was denied by the woodwork as his header, from Maachi's cross, came off the near post.
The Stripes increased their advantage 14 minutes from time.
Edward Herrera, who had come on for Scicluna, guided a pass to Haruna who advanced unimpeded into the box before passing to the unmarked Maachi who drove home.
The Stripes pressed for more.
Maachi was denied a hat-trick by the woodwork after the Dutch had connected with of Zach Muscat's headed assist.
The loose ball dropped at the feet of Mauricio Mazzetti but his screamer was off target.
Substitute Kurt Zammit secured Birkirkara's win as the youngster raced into the box from the left and dispatched his shot past Cassar for his first senior goal.