FA Trophy: First-half goals pave the way for Birkirkara

Three goals in the first half paved the way for a comfortable 4-1 win for Birkirkara over Gozitan First Division leaders Ghajnsielem in a match from the Round of 16 of the Malta FA Trophy at the Gozo Stadium on Tuesday.

The Stripes, who had defeated Lija Athletic 6-0 in the previous round, reach the quarter-finals.

On the 9th minute, Caio Prado had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis but the Stripes still managed to take the lead on the 27th minute thanks to a Kurt Zammit header off a corner by Caio Prado.

Ten minutes later, off a Paul Mbong corner, a header by Enrico Pepe put Birkirkara two goals ahead.

Birkirkara made it 3-0 on the 40th thanks to Paul Mbong whose low shot beat Parnis.

Ghajnsielem pulled one back thanks to an Igor Nedeljkovic header following a cross by Alberto Xuereb from the left.

However three minutes from time, Birkirkara made it 4-1 when Luke Montebello exchanged the ball with Caio Prado before having a shot partially saved by the goalkeeper but off the rebound, the Brazilian placed the ball at the back of the net.

GHAJNSIELEM Adrian Parnis, Keith Borg (86′ Kenneth Mercieca), Alberto Xuereb, Asante Agyeman, Kevin Farrugia, Jhon Arboleda Valencia, Joseph George Vella (83′ Dejan Bogdanovic), Kurt Grima (54′ Johnny Camilleri), Rodney Buttigieg (85′ Michael Bezzina), Sebastien Martinez Turizo, Igor Nedeljkovic.
Coach: Danijel Bogdanovic

B’KARA Sandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello, Paul Mbong, Kurt Zammit (84′ Isaac Ntow), Francesco Verde (46′ Reginald Mbu Alidor), Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Caio Prado, Oscar Carniello.
Coach: Andre Paus

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: James Muscat, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech