Kerċem Ajax needed extra-time to book their place into the semi-finals of the GFA KO competition for Division One teams with a 5-3 win over Xewkija Tigers last weekend.
This was Kerċem’s third win over Xewkija this season as they had already defeated the Tigers in the league and in the first round of the GFA Cup.
Kerċem could have wrapped up their win in regular time but were too erratic in front of goal, thus keeping Xewkija in the match and force extra-time.
The Ajax took command early on and opened the score on the half hour mark with a header by Joshua Buttigieg.
Xewkija levelled matters on the stroke of half-time through Joel Xuereb but their joy was shortlived as Buttigieg restored Ajax’s lead on 61 minutes.
Fourteen minutes from time, Xewkija were awarded a penalty for a foul by goalkeeper Gaetano Bugeja on Shola Shodija and Joseph George Vella converted from the spot to make it 2-2.
In extra-time, Kerċem soon seized control when they scored twice without reply through Wesley Simeao Dos Santos (102) and Euller Da Silva Rodrigues (113).
Xewkija revived their hopes through Shodija but their hopes of a comeback were ended when Sebastian Martinez sealed Kerċem’s win with a fifth goal on 117 minutes.
Qala Saints strolled into the next round of the GFA KO for second division teams when they brushed aside St Lawrence
Spurs.
The Saints were on top throughout the match despite playing with ten men for long spells after having a player sent off on the stroke of half-time.
Qala took the lead on 29
minutes when Samwel Muscat scored a perfect opener directly from a free-kick.
Just before half-time, Qala were reduced to ten men when Manwel Xerri was sent off for stopping St Lawrence’s Alen Haska from
entering inside the area.
St Lawrence failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and it was Qala who sealed their win when scoring four goals without reply after the break.
Emanuel Buttigieg made it
2-0 on 49 minutes before Aleksandar Komljenovic added another seven minutes later.
Brandon Said added a fourth goal on 75 minutes and Komljenovic wrapped up the win four minutes from time.
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO
Żebbuġ R. vs St Lawrence 12.30
GFA CUP
SK Victoria W. vs Għarb R. 15.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION I KO
Oratory Y. vs Nadur Y. 13.30
