Two teams from the BOV Third Division and another two from the Melita First Division in Gozo secured a place in the third round of the FA Trophy as the last nine second round matches were played on Sunday.
Nadur Youngsters came from behind to beat First Division side Fgura United 2-1. Ryan Previ put Fgura ahead on the hour but two minutes later, Claudio Antunes converted a penalty to level matters. Sunday Baala notched the winner on 73 minutes.
Another Gozitan side Victoria Hotspurs registered a comfortable 5-1 win over Second Division side Mellieha. Michael Bezzina opened the score for the Hotspurs on the 12th minute and a brace by Rodney Buttigieg on 55 and 62 minutes put them 3-0 ahead. Kyle Simiana pulled one back for Mellieha on 64 minutes but Jose Filipe Caldheira made it 4-1 six minutes late and Michael Bezzina sealed the issue with another goal five minutes from time.
Second Division side Senglea Athletic defeated Mqabba from the First Division 3-2. Senglea forged ahead after just two minutes thanks to Terence Scerri; Claudio Calleja equalised on the 20th but Aud-Gustine James Obaje made it 2-1 for Senglea on 72 minutes. Three minutes later, Douglas da Silva Silveira restored equilibrium but four minutes from time, the usual Timmy Thomas secured victory for Senglea.
Pembroke Athleta defeated Rabat Ajax 2-1 in a clash between two First Division sides. Lucky Omeruo put Pembroke ahead on the 18th and doubled the score on the 38th with David Azzopardi scoring a consolation goal for Rabat eleven minutes from time.
Melita needed extra-time to eliminate Second Division side Zejtun Corinthians, beating them 1-0. After a goalless draw at the end of the ninety minutes, the game went into extra-time and two minutes from the end of the first half of extra-time, Federico Mennini Righinin scored the all-important goal for the Amateurs.
Msida St. Joseph beat Second Division side Marsa 4-1. Diego Pereira put the Saints ahead on 27 minutes and nine minutes later, Marcelo da Costa doubled the score. Da Costa added another four minutes from the end of the first half. Ronnie Celeste pulled one back for Marsa on the hour but Gentaro Murakami scored the fourth goal for Msida seven minutes from time.
Qrendi defeated St. Venera Lightnings 2-1 in a clash between two Third Division sides. Dennis Di Maio put Qrendi ahead on the 14th minute and although Mark Grech equalised on the 59th, Di Maio made it 2-1 on the 68th.
In a clash between two Second Division sides, Sirens beat San Gwann on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of the ninety minutes and at the end of extra-time.
At the Kercem Ajax Stadium, Kirkop United defeated SK Victoria Wanderers 2-0 with two goals mid-way through the second half. Michael Zammit opened the score on 66 minutes and Vladimir Klikic doubled the score three minutes later.
The twenty teams who will therefore join the Premier League clubs in the third round of the competition are therefore:
First Division – Birzebbuga St. Peter’s, Gudja United, Gzira United, Lija Athletic, Melita, Msida St. Joseph, Pembroke Athleta, St. George’s and Zurrieq;
Second Division – Gharghur, Hamrun Spartans, Senglea Athletic, Siggiewi, Sirens, Swieqi United and Zabbar St. Patrick;
Third Division – Kirkop United and Qrendi
Gozo – Nadur Youngsters, Victoria Hotspurs.
The FA Trophy Third Round will be played between November 28 and December 3.