FA Trophy: Nadur, Rabat register comfortable wins

Another ten teams made it to the third round of the Malta FA Trophy as the remaining ten second round matches were played on Sunday.

First Division sides Zejtun Corinthians, Zebbug Rangers and Qrendi, Second Division teams Birzebbuga St. Peter’s Fgura United, Rabat Ajax, Melita and Siggiewi, Mdina Knights from Division 3 and Gozitan side Nadur Youngsters join Gudja United, Lija Athletic, Pembroke Athleta, Vittoriosa Stars, San Gwann, Marsa, Mellieha and Xewkija Tigers who qualified on Friday and Saturday and the fourteen Premier League clubs in the next round.

Nadur Youngsters registered a most comfortable 7-0 win over Second Division side Zabbar St. Patrick at the Centenary Stadium.

Daniel Mateo Bustos put the Youngsters ahead on the 12th minute and Yuri de Jesus Messias doubled the score on the 26th. Bustos made it 3-0 on the 42nd and just before half-time, an own goal put them four goals ahead. Marcelo Barbosa converted a penalty on the 47th and on the hour, Luke Tabone made it 6-0. Yuri de Jesus Messias scored a seventh goal eight minutes from time.

In a clash between two First Division sides, Zejtun Corinthians defeated Naxxar Lions 2-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Johan Castano gave Zejtun the lead on the 20th minute and Brooke Farrugia doubled the score on the 60th. Duane Bonnici pulled one back for Naxxar two minutes later.

Also at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, a goal by Ryan Micallef five minutes from time gave First Division side Zebbug Rangers a narrow win over Second Division side Marsaxlokk.

First Division side Santa Lucia were eliminated by Second Division side Birzebbuga St. Peter’s following a great comeback by the latter for a 2-2 draw at the Centenary Stadium at the end of the ninety minutes and after extra-time.

Paul Lapira put Santa Lucia ahead on the 16th minute and Nick Borg doubled the score three minutes from the end of the first half. However Dylan Pirotta reduced the gap for Birzebbuga on the 72nd and four minutes later, he levelled matters. In the penalty shoot-out, Birzebbuga won 4-2. Paul Camilleri, Andrea Cutajar, Felipe Pedrosa de Almeida and John Micallef scored for Birzebbuga and Jackson David Usuga Mendoza and Adebayo Ademilua scored for Santa Lucia.

Second Division side Fgura United needed extra-time to beat Third Division side Ghaxaq 4-1 at the Luxol Stadium.

Mark Ellul put Ghaxaq ahead on the 51st and Ryan Sell equalised on the 72nd. The game went into extra-time and after just five minutes, Ryan Sell made it 2-1. Fgura increased the lead further through Shawn Borg two minutes in the second half of extra-time and Ryan Sell added another on the 120th minute.

In another match at the Luxol Stadium, Second Division side Melita defeated neighbours First Division side Swieqi United 1-0 thanks to a goal by Liam Reno Gatt on the 64th.

At the Sirens Stadium, Third Division side Mdina Knights defeated Gozitan side Gharb Rangers 2-1 after extra-time.

Ardit Shkjav put Gharb ahead on the 57th but an own goal restored equilibrium. Ryan Sciberras notched the winner for Mdina in the last minute of the first half of extra-time.

In another match at the Sirens Stadium, Rabat Ajax registered a comfortable 5-0 win over Luqa St. Andrew’s in a clash between two Second Division sides. Isaac Abela opened the score on the 11th and Aidan Azzopardi made it 2-0 five minutes in the second half. A brace by Jean Scholey on the 89th and 90th and a goal by Jamie Muscat one minute in added time increased the lead further for the Magpies.

At the Kercem Ajax Stadium, First Division side Qrendi defeated Gozitans Sannat Lions 3-0.

Joao Pedro da Silva Vargas put Qrendi ahead on the 27th and Dylan Zarb doubled the score just before half-time. Kenneth Abela sealed the issue with a third goal on the 73rd minute.

In another match at the Kercem Ajax Stadium, Gozitan champions Victoria Hotspurs were eliminated by Second Division side Siggiewi on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the end of the ninety minutes and after extra-time.

Chris Mercieca gave the Hotspurs the lead after just three minutes and Marko Nicolic equalised on the 62nd. No goals were scored in extra-time and in the penalty shoot-out, Siggiewi scored six and Victoria Hotspurs five. Marko Nikolic, Kim Buhagiar, Darrell Grech, Jason Camilleri, Jacob Vincent Magri and Jean Paul Formosa scored the penalties for Siggiewi, Henrique de Souza Maciel, Christian Mercieca, Emiliano Lattes, Elton Alexandre da Silva and Jonathan Bajada for the Hotspurs.