Birkirkara will be facing Marsaxlokk in the final of the Izibet FA Trophy 2022/23 after defeating Mosta 4-3 in a highly-entertaining semi-final at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

This will the Stripes’ twelfth appearance in the final. A competition which they won five times, the last being in 2015.

For Mosta, this defeat means that their chances of securing a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League faded away but all in all, they should still be satisfied for a fine Premier League campaign leading to a joint-fourth place and a great performance in this semi-final which saw them recover from a two-goal deficit and level matters twice before conceding the decisive goal two minutes in added time.

The Stripes took the lead two minutes from the end of the first half when off a swift counter attack, Alex da Paixao delivered a cross from the right and Denis Custodio Ribeiro slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ini Etim Akpan.

Seven minutes in the second half, Birkirkara doubled the score courtesy of Enzo Daniel Cabrera who headed the ball home from close range off a cross by Osvaldo Iorio from the right.

On the hour, Mosta pulled one back when off a cross by Clayton Failla from the left, Enrico Pepe defleted the ball past Sylla for an own goal.

The Blues levelled matters on the 72nd minute when off a Christ Ememe corner, Michael Chidera Okoh headed home past the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

However, the Stripes regained the lead ten minutes from time when Boubakary Diarra floored Yannick Yankam inside the area; referee Philip Farrugia ordered a penalty and Enzo Daniel Cabrera converted.

Three minutes from time, Mosta restored equilibrium when off a cross by Clayton Failla from the left, Michael Chidera Okoh headed the ball home past Sylla.

But two minutes in added time, Birkirkara made it 4-3 when off a throw in by Osvaldo Iorio from the right, Andrei Ciolacu served Enzo Daniel Cabrera who placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.

>> Birkirkara FC vs Mosta FC match card