SLIEMA WANDERERS-2, PIETÀ HOTSPURS-0
Two goals in the opening 15 minutes gave Sliema Wanderers a 2-0 victory over Division One side Pietà Hotspurs in the last U*Bet FA Trophy quarter-final this afternoon.
Mark Scerri and Stanley Ohawuchi were on target for the Blues who looked set for an easy win but Pietà improved sufficiently to create a series of attacks but wasteful finishing killed their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the KO competition.Sliema will meet Qormi in the semis after the latter knocked out Birkirkara yesterday.
The game was only 13 seconds old when Sliema Wanderers striker Ohawuchi stormed clear in the inside-left channel before hitting a rising shot that was pushed away by Cassar.
Sliema didn't have to wait long to take the lead. After five minutes, Admir Vladavic advanced through the middle and his pass was deflected by Lucas Mutasi with the ball falling to Mark Scerri who hammered home.
The Hotspurs almost conceded a second moments later when Paltemio Barbetti's angled shot glanced off a number of defenders with the ball dropping to Trevor Cilia whose close-range effort was blocked by Jurgen Pisani.
At the other end, Pisani's free-kick from the left wing drifted towards the six-yard box where Christian Grech appeared to get his head to the ball but his attempt was saved by Glenn Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper.The Wanderers doubled their lead on 15 minutes. John Mintoff supplied a through-pass to Ohawuchi who sped clear before hitting a lot shot past Cassar.Pietà Hotspurs looked stunned but they refused to lie down.
They had a legitimate claim for a penalty when Terence Agius's low strike appeared to come off Mintoff's arm but Irish referee Paul McLaughlin allowed play to continue.Minutes later, the Hotspurs threatened again as Ricardo Costa passed to Kooh Sohna who held off Stefano Bianciardi.
The Cameroonian sent a perfect pass to the unmarked Cesae who incredibly blasted his shot over the bar.Four minutes from half-time, Riccardo Costa produced a strong drive that came off the side-netting.
At the other end, Cilia also demonstrated his shooting abilities as the winger, served by Vladavic, hit a fierce strike that bounced just wide of the near post.Pietà were the brighter side after the restart but, 17 minutes into the second half, Sliema were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of penalty area after Anonam clipped Ohawuchi'.Cilia's swerving free-kick was high.Pietà had a chance of their own when Pisani's set-piece cross soared towards Costa who chested the ball towards goal but Zammit saved.
With 12 minutes remaining, the Hotspurs wasted a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Ani turned well before passing to Kooh Sohna who fired wide.
The Cameroonian missed another opportunity as his overhead volley sailed over after Gatt Baldacchino had failed to clear Agius's lofted pass.Sliema threatened to apply the killer touch but Ohawuchi's effort was blocked by Cassar after the Nigerian had received from Muchardi.
In stoppage time, Pietà had another chance as Ricardo Costa's corner from the right was headed by Anonam and Agius fired wide.