Sliema Wanderers 4 Mqabba 2
Sliema reached the last eight of the U *BET FA Trophy after beating Mqabba in the only all-Premier-League clash of the third round.
Sliema looked far more willing to attack as they started to dominate Mqabba in midfield but none really created any danger in the opening 20 minutes, Danial Mitev forcing the only real save from Kris Calleja with his 20-metre rising strike.
The Bulgarian striker had earlier found the net, but he was marginally offside. The Wanderers wasted no other time in striking the first blow against their premier league rivals.
In the 24th minute, Jackson Lima broke on the counter but his progression was halted in the box by Mauro Bonnici, referee Fyodor Zammit applied the advantage rule and Roderick Bajada showed great composure and expertise to wrong-foot his marker and steer his finish past Calleja.
Sliema passed the Mqabba goalkeeper again two minutes later, this time, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza worked his way through the Mqabba defence on the right flank; his cross was met by Mitev. The Mqabba goalkeeper got a hand to the striker's effort, but he could not hold the ball as the striker pounced for a simple finish.
Mqabba's false start left them chasing the game but were handed a lifeline after 38 minutes which was hardly their own handy work. Cleavon Frendo tried to clear a long punt forward but got it horribly wrong. The ball flew high into the air, over the head of the scrambling Curmi and into the net.
In the 72nd minute, the Wanderers were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as John Paul equalised for Mqabba when he headed in Calleja's free-kick from the right.
Crucially though for Sliema, Mqabba's afternoon suddenly became less comfortable as they could not hold on as Mitev restored the Wanderers' lead three minutes later, smashing the ball into the net from free-kick from the edge of the box.
The goal breathed life into Sliema's challenge and their 3-2 lead became 4-2 in the 83rd minute when Jorge Silva compounded more misery with his pace and trickery as the Brazilian was the architect of a wonderful goal after a solo run.