National Amateur Cup: Impressive wins for Birzebbuga St. Peter’s, Zebbug Rovers

Six teams secured a place in the Round of 16 of the National Amateur Cup as the first six matches from the Preliminary Round were played on Thursday.

At the Kercem Arkafort Stadium, Birzebbuga St. Peter’s registered a most comfortable 6-0 win over Gozitan Second Division side St. Lawrence Spurs. Andrely Kouessabio Makela put Birzebbuga ahead on the 19th and just before the end of the first half, Yessous Camilleri doubled the score. Three penalties, converted by Keith Muscat on the 53rd, Ousman Touray on the 65th and Shaun Galea four minutes increased the lead further before Yessous Camilleri added another on the 82nd.

In the next round, Birzebbuga will be facing Ta’ Xbiex who defeated Dingli Swallows 2-1 at the Luxol Stadium. Mauro Busuttil put Ta’ Xbiex ahead on the 5th minute and went on to double the score on the 65th. Luke Galea pulled one back on the 71st.

At the Sirens Stadium, Gozitan side Zebbug Rovers registered a fine 6-2 win over Pembroke Athleta. Matthion Formosa handed Zebbug the lead on the 3rd minute and Eric Gauci doubled the score on the 11th. Seven minutes later, Daniel Mesa Pineros made it 3-0 and although Weverton Gomes converted a penalty on the 32nd to reduce the gap, Mesa Pineros scored again on the 38th and 45th. Larkin Attard scored a second goal for Pembroke on the 64th but Mesa scored his fourth on the 90th.

Zebbug Rovers will be facing Siggiewi in the next round.

Mgarr United defeated Luqa St. Andrew’s 4-3 after extra-time at the Luxol Stadium. Christina Saint Ebisindor put Mgarr ahead on the 13th and although Andrei Alexandru Vasinc equalised on the 25th, Ebisindor made it 2-1 four minutes from the end of the first half. Three minutes in the second half, Saturday Nanapere increased the lead but goals by Chibuzor Lucky Nwaogu on the 78th and Larson Mallia on the 87th restored equilibrium. Thirteen minutes in the first half of extra-time, Saturday Nanapere notched the winner for Mgarr.

Mgarr will be facing Senglea Athletic or Mellieha in the Round of 16.

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Qormi came from behind to beat Sta. Venera Lightnings 2-1. Luke Taliana put the Lightnings ahead after just eight minutes but Abner dos Santos Pinto equalised on the 22nd and Leon Theuma notched the winner twelve minutes from time.

In the next round, Qormi will be facing SK Victoria Wanderers or Xaghra United.

In another match at the Sirens Stadium, Kalkara United beat Msida St. Joseph 2-1 to set-up a clash with Xghajra Tornados in the next round. Dhonatan Santos da Hora put Kalkara ahead on the 34th and Julian Zammit doubled the score on the 41st. Giovanni Galea converted a penalty to reduce the gap for Msida ten minutes from time.

>> National Amateur Cup Fixtures & Results