PIETÀ HOTSPURS 1

Tony 49

GŻIRA UNITED 2

Cohen 29, Garba 113

Gżira United were the first team to secure a place in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after defeating Pietà Hotspurs 2-1 after extra-time.

This was the resumption of the original fixture which was played on February 23 but was abandoned one minute from time by referee Emanuel Grech, with the score 1-1, due to a hailstorm which hit the Maltese islands. Andrew Cohen had put the Maroons ahead on the 29th minute with Tony restoring equilibrium four minutes in the second half.

The Maroons went in search of the winning goal right from the start and in the remaining minute, they went close when off a Juan Corbalan cross from the right, Haruna Garba just failed to connect.

Following two minutes of added time, with the score still draw, the game went into extra-time and on 94 minutes, Andrew Cohen’s fine freekick from the left was partially saved by Nicky Vella and Takaki Ose headed the ball into a corner.

Gżira maintained the pressure and five minutes in the second half of extra-time, Andrew Cohen served Juan Corbalan on the left but the latter missed a good opportunity hitting incredibly high.

Roderick Briffa’s inclusion as a substitute a minute earlier proved decisive as on 113 minutes, the Maroons notched the winner. The veteran midfielder’s cross from the right was well-met by Garba who headed the ball past Vella.

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