Gzira United, Sliema Wanderers and Mgarr United joined Birkirkara, Floriana, Marsaxlokk and Mosta in the quarter-finals of the IZIBET FA Trophy as three matches from the Round of 16 were played on Wednesday.
In the first match at the National Stadium, Gzira United defeated Hibernians 1-0.
Thaylor Aldama scored the all-important goal for the Maroons on the half-hour.
At the Centenary Stadium, Amateur League side Mgarr United eliminated Santa Lucia 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the end of the ninety minutes and a 3-3 draw at the end of extra-time.
Santa Lucia had the opportunity to take the lead on the 22nd minute when they were awarded a penalty but Temitope Abraham Ojo missed from the penalty spot.
Christian Ebisindor Saint put Mgarr ahead on the 38th minute but ten minutes in the second half, Lucas Sena Silva levelled matters. Mgarr regained the lead courtesy of Joseph Paul Zammit on the 76th but three minutes in added time, Carlos Gabriel Moreira de Oliveira restored equilibrium.
The game went into extra-time and Aleksa Mrdja put Santa Lucia 3-2 ahead six minutes in the first half of extra-time but Joseph Paul Zammit equalised four minutes later.
With the score still draw, the penalty shoot-out had to determine the winner and Carlos Gabriel Moreira de Oliveira, Jurgen Pisani and Gonzalo Nicolas Virano scored for Santa Lucia with Adam Bradshaw and Santiago Moracci missing from the penalty spot. On the other hand, Nicholas Schembri scored Mgarr’s first penalty, Gordon Saliba missed but Kane Farrugia, Ryan Camilleri and Joseph Paul Zammit all scored to hand Brian Spiteri’s side a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile Sliema Wanderers needed extra-time to register a narrow win over Balzan at the National Stadium.
A Joseph Minala penalty twelve minutes in the second half of extra-time handed Sliema a place in the quarter-finals.
The last match from the Round of 16 is the clash between Hamrun Spartans and Gudja United on Thursday.
| Thu 8-Feb-2024 | Hamrun Spartans FC vs Gudja United FC | 20:15 | Centenary Stadium |
The Quarter Finals are scheduled for March 30 and April 1, the Semi Finals on May 11 and 12 and the Final on May 18.