FA Trophy: Birzebbuga, Fgura and Ghajnsielem reach next round

Another three teams reached the Round of 32 of the FA Trophy as they registered wins in the Preliminary Round on Wednesday.

At the Gozo Stadium, Ghajnsielem defeated Challenge League side Pieta’ Hotspurs 3-1.

Igor Nedeljkoic put Daniel Bogdanovic’s side ahead on the 19th minute and Alberto Xuereb doubled the score on the 33rd. Three minutes in added time before the end of the first half, Jhon Arboleda Valencia converted a penalty to make it 3-0. Gabriel Borg scored a consolation goal for the Hotspurs on the 71st minute.

At the Kercem Ajax Stadium, Fgura United beat Xewkija Tigers 3-0, courtesy of Sergio Hili on the 42nd, Noah Olawole Ojuola on the 63rd and Gilbert Martin on the 82nd.

At the Centenary Stadium, Birzebbuga St. Peter’s defeated Siggiewi 2-1 after extra-time in a clash between two National Amateur League teams.

Vinicius de Souza Ferreira put Birzebbuga ahead four minutes from the end of the first half but Kurt Magro equalised six minutes in the second half. The match went into extra-time with Shawn Vella notching the winner for Birzebbuga twelve minutes in the first half of extra-time.

Birzebbuga, Fgura and Ghajnsielem join Nadur Youngsters, St. Andrews, Naxxar Lions, Mqabba and Pembroke Athleta in the Round of 32 along with Qormi, Sannat Lions, Xaghra United and Swieqi United who received a bye and the sixteen Premier League clubs.