Valpoort brace powers Sta Lucia to FA Trophy victory over Sirens

SANTA LUCIA    4           

Valpoort 3, 20

Plut 40; Xuereb 64

SIRENS                1           

Lomis 68

SANTA LUCIA

J. Haber, A. Prates, J. Pisani, N. Pulis, P. Silva Mota (90 E. Camilleri), V. Plut (73 J. Tanti) M. Valpoort (80 A. Da Silva), V. Prestes Filho (90 B. Agius), J. Zerafa (80 K. Xuereb), D. Xuereb, L. Soares Fonseca.

SIRENS

S. Mintoff, H. Motta, A. Effiong (71 F. Avoce), A. Borg, T. Tabone Desira (46 C. Zammit Lonardelli), J Walker, C. Riascos, D. Jackson, V. Vieira (90 A. Cini), C. Flores (46 D. Albanese), R. Neto (46 M. Lomis).

Referee: Emanuel Grech.

Red card: Motta (S) 81.

Santa Lucia made up for recent disappointment in their Premier League campaign as they registered a most comfortable 4-1 win over Sirens to book a place in the Round of 16 of the Izibet FA Trophy.
The Saints will now be facing the winner of the clash between Żebbuġ Rangers and St Andrews.

The team led by Giovanni Tedesco were clearly the better side, making the most of the chances they created to take a three-goal lead by the end of the first half, controlling their opponents during the second half.

Santa Lucia had a perfect start, taking the lead after just three minutes.

Victor Luis Prestes Filho advanced on the left before unleashing a powerful shot which was blocked by Sean Mintoff, Plut took the rebound and served the unmarked Meghon Valpoort who hit home past the helpless Sirens goalkeeper.

Sirens replied with a long through-pass for Vitor Vieira who controlled the ball on the edge of the area three minutes later but was anticipated by goalkeeper Justin Haber as he was about to conclude.

On 20 minutes, Santa Lucia doubled the score.

Vito Plut gained possession in midfield and advanced upfield before serving Meghon Valpoort who hit low past the Sirens custodian.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Santa Lucia increased the lead.

Patrick Silva Mota advanced from midfield, serving Vito Plut on the left and the latter slotted past Mintoff from inside the area.

In the beginning of the second half, Sirens coach Winston Muscat made three substitutions and they did show some improvement as they started creating more chances.

However, on 64 minutes, Santa Lucia made it 4-0 courtesy of Dexter Xuereb who headed the ball home off a long-distance freekick.

Sirens reduced the gap four minutes later.

Following a cross by Walker, there was a short clearance by the Santa Lucia defence, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli sent the ball in the direction of Marios Lomis who headed the ball home.

Nine minutes from time, Henrique Marcelino Motta received his second caution for a foul, therefore leaving his side with ten men.

Santa Lucia went close to increasing the lead on 85 minutes when substitute Alan da Silva Souza concluded a solo effort with a shot from outside the area but the ball hit the woodwork.