Seven teams secured a place in the first round of the Meridianbet FA Trophy after emerging as winners in the Preliminary Round matches in programme on Saturday.
At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Valletta came from behind to defeat Gozitan side Nadur Youngsters 3-1 after extra-time. Andre Martins put Nadur ahead on 23 minutes but five minutes in the second half, James Scicluna levelled matters to force extra-time. Timilehin Caleb Akande put the Citizens ahead eleven minutes in the first half of extra-time and three minutes in added time, an own goal sealed the issue for Valletta.
Zebbug Rangers found no difficulty in beating Gozitan side Oratory Youths 6-1 at the Sirens Stadium. Salem Ayinde Adeyemi put the Rangers ahead after just eight seconds. Leigh Camilleri doubled the score on the 5th and four minutes later, Duvan Mosquera made it 3-0. Johann Bezzina converted a penalty on the 18th and although Vitor Gabriel converted a penalty on the 37th to reduce the gap, Zebbug added another two goals thanks to Andrey Attard on the 53rd and Johann Bezzina on the 84th.
Gozitan side SK Victoria Wanderers stunned Mgar United, beating them 3-2 at the Luxol Stadium. Igor Henrique put the Wanderers ahead on the 8th and Matthias Cordina doubled the score on the 17th. Mgarr hit back with a brace by Vivi-Gaetan Mahop on the 22nd and 43rd but David Emmanuel Garba notched the winner on the hour.
Sirens defeated Santa Lucia 3-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium thanks to a brace by Jean Borg on the 51st and 93rd and a goal by Thiago Nonato on the 69th with Jamie Nicholl temporarily reducing the gap on the 89th.
Amateur League 2 side Victoria Hotspurs registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Challenge League side Senglea Athletic at the Sirens Stadium. Emmanuel Mbong scored on the 5th and 57th with Shaun Attard adding another on the 61st.
Swieqi United defeated Mtarfa 7-6 on penalties following a goalless draw at the end of the ninety minutes and extra-time at the Luxol Stadium.
In the penalty shoot-out, Juan Pablo Morales, Augusto Caseres, Alan Schembri Wismayer, Blessing Brafo, Josiah Mallia, Isaiah Micallef and Paul Fenech scored for Swieqi with Matheus Freitas, Zeron Azzopardi, Ayrton Senna Azzopardi, Ryan Tonna, Eric Mensah and Jake Grech scored for Mtarfa with Miguel Micallef missing the only penalty for Mtarfa.
At the Centenary Stadium, the penalty shoot-out had to determine the winner in the clash between Tarxien Rainbows and Amateur League 1 side Mellieha following a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time and extra-time. Following a goalless first half, Gabriel Mensah put Tarxien ahead two minutes in the second half but Christian Grech equalised on the 56th. Mellieha won the penalty shoot-out 5-4.
Sebastian Perdomo, Christian Grech, Malcolm Vella Vidal, Alexander Akl and Michael Camilleri scored for Mellieha with Wayne Chetcuti and Marc Bolane Adonis missing their penalties. On the other hand, Brandon Muscat, Conor Borg, Manji Williams and Hubert Vella scored for Tarxien while Gabriel Mensah, Sheldon Mizzi and Ryan Cutajar missed.
These seven teams join BOV Challenge League sides Fgura United, Gudja United, Lija Athletic, Marsa, Pieta’ Hotspurs, St. Andrews and Zurrieq, IZIBET Amateur League 1 sides and BOV Amateur Cup semi-finalists Attard and Qrendi and BOV Gozo Football League First Division sides Ghajnsielem, Qala Saints, Xaghra United and Xewkija Tigers who were all awarded a bye along with the twelve teams from the 360Sports Malta Premier in the first round of the Meridianbet FA Trophy scheduled for January 10-12.