In the first two matches from the BOV GFA Knock-Out competition for first division teams, Victoria Hotspurs and Għajnsielem obtained wins so that they have set up a semi-final showdown later on this season.
Victoria Hotspurs needed extra-time to defeat Sannat Lions by the odd goal in three.
The two sides were aiming for qualification but were erratic in front of goal, so it was no surprise that the match ended in extra time as the regular time ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sannat took the lead on 25 minutes. Lucas Silva Gomes won the ball just outside the area and fired the ball home.
However, parity was restored on 36 minutes when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes hit a fine strike that flew into the net.
The Hotspurs showed better play in the final stages and kept up their momentum in the initial stages of extra time.
The Hotspurs scored the winner on 95 minutes with a close-range shot by Christian Vella.
Sannat ended the match with ten men on 114 minutes when goalie Lorjean Xuereb was sent off for a foul outside the area,
Meanwhile, Għajnsielem obtained a 5-1 win over SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Blacks dominated the match and surged into a two-goal lead through Kevin Farrugia (18) and Igor Nedeljkovic (31).
The Serbian striker added another goal on 52 minutes but one minute later the Wanderers pulled one bak through a header by Sam Harland.
Għajnsielem were not demoralised and made sure of the win by scoring two more goals through a free kick by Dejan Bogdanovic (57) and a header by substitute Jeferson De Sousa Ferreira on 67 minutes.
Division Two
Munxar Falcons made it two wins out of two when they brushed aside Għarb Rangers 4-1.
The win lifted the Falcons to the top of the standings with a maximum six points alongside Żebbuġ Rovers.
Kenneth Mizzi gave Munxar the lead after nine minutes of play before Joseph Attard inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net to leave the Rangers two goals behind at the interval.
Għarb managed to reduce the deficit on 60 minutes from a penalty converted by Rodrigo Apestegui Duran.
However, it was Munxar who soon regained command and sealed their win with two more goals scored by Ayesller Carvalho (80) and Mark Debrincat (90+5).
In the other match from the lower category of the weekend, title favourites Qala Saints were held to a 2-2 draw by St Lawrence Spurs.
Qala took an early lead through Aleksandar Komljenovic (5) but Alen Haska levelled matters on 15 minutes.
Komljenovic restored Qala’s lead on 52 minutes but the Maroons refused to throw in the towel despite being reduced to ten men on 71 minutes when substitute Michael Zerafa upended Haska when through on goal.
Haska picked himself up and curled the ball into the net.
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA Division I KO Q/F
Kerċem Ajax vs Xewkija T. 16.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA Division II KO
St Lawrence vs Qala Saints 14.00
