Ħamrun Spartans, Birkirkara handed Gozitan opposition
Santa Lucia were drawn to face Mosta in the plum fixture of the FA Trophy Last 16 draw which was held on Thursday at the Centenary Hall.
Gżira United and Valletta were also handed an all-Premier League tie when they were pitted against Tarxien Rainbows and Senglea Athletic respectively.
Santa Lucia will approach their match against Mosta with renewed optimism as the Saints have been one of the revelations of the 2021-22 season and in the previous round they have underlined their potential when they knocked Floriana, the team who won the FA Trophy for a record 21 times, in the previous round.
Mosta, on the otherhand, are set to offer them a stern challenge as the Blues, too have enjoyed a positive season so far and are looking at the FA Trophy as a major route towards European football next season. The Blues reached the Last 16 in convincing fashion after defeating holders Balzan 3-1.
Ħamrun Spartans are set to cross the channel for a second successive round as the Premier League leaders, after ousting Sannat Lions in the Last 32, will again be in action at the Gozo Stadium when they face Xagħra United.
Gżira United, who thumped Mqabba 8-0 in the previous round, face Premier League opposition in the form of Tarxien Rainbows while Hibernians or Żejtun Corinthians, who have yet to play their Last 32 tie as it was postponed due to COVID-19, will face Pembroke Athleta.
Birkirkara were handed a tricky-looking trip to Gozo as the Stripes, who beat Lija Athletic 6-0 in the previous round, will be up against GFA Division One leaders Għajnsielem.
Valletta were again drawn against Premier League opposition as after ousting Gudja United in the previous round they will be up against Senglea Athletic.
Sirens, the other Premier League team in the draw, will be up against Challenge League high-flyers Marsa.
The FA Trophy Last 16 ties will be played on March 2 and 3.
FA TROPHY LAST 16
Sta Lucia vs Mosta
Gżira United vs Tarxien R.
Pembroke vs Hibs/Zejtun
Xaghra vs Ħamrun Spartans
Naxxar Lions vs St Andrews
Għajnsielem vs Birkirkara
Senglea A. vs Valletta
Marsa vs Sirens
Matches to be played between March 2 and 4
WOMEN’S U-15 KO SFs
Birkirkara vs Mosta
Żebbuġ Rangers vs Swieqi United
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF
Mġarr United vs Melita
Luqa St Andrews vs Loser Mġarr/Melita March 2
Winner Mġarr/Melita vs Luqa St Andrews
PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Mellieħa vs Xgħajra Tornadoes
QUARTER-FINALS
1. Attard vs Mellieħa/Xgħajra
2. Msida St Joseph vs Rabat
3. Żurrieq vs Kirkop United
4. Marsaskala vs Siġġiewi
SEMI-FINALS
QF1 vs QF3
QF 2 vs QF 4
