Watch: Satariano’s late strike lifts Birkirkara into FA Trophy Last 16

Birkirkara had to dig deep into their reserves to overcome the resilient challenge of neighbouring rivals Balzan in the FA Trophy at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Just a few days after their impressive 5-2 win over the same Balzan in the Premier League, this time Birkirkara had to work much harder to book their place into the Last 16 of the competition as they needed a fine strike from Alex Satariano to clinch a merited win.

Birkirkara were the better side early on and Paul Mbong should have done better on 16 minutes when firing over after being teed up by Lacunza

Balzan almost stunned their opponents on 24 minutes when Oluwatobiloba Awosanya hit a low drive that almost surprised goalkeeper Gianluca Volpe but the ball rolled wide.

Read also: Follow Saturday’s proceedings on our blog here

Birkirkara took the lead on 36 minutes when Alex Alves picked Agostin Sandona on the edge of the area and the Birkirkara midfielder scored with a well-placed shot.

Maxuell Maia could have doubled Birkirkara’s lead four minutes into the second half when in a quick break the Brazilian fired wide from an inviting position.

That proved costly as on 64 minutes Balzan were awarded a penalty when Sandona was adjudged to have used his arm to stop Jan Busuttil’s spot.

From the spot, Udo Akpan saw his shot pushed away by Volpe but from the rebound, Jan Busuttil drilled the ball into the net.

But it was Birkirkara who had the final say when Alex Satariano hit a curling drive from outside the area that gave no chance to Ciappara.

BIRKIRKARA 2

Sandona 38; Satariano 75

BALZAN           1

Busuttil 66

BIRKIRKARA   

G. Volpe, I. Morello, L. Cordova (71 N. Cross), A. Sandona, P. Mbong (71 G. Gnamien), A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef, S. Makoma (87 S. Dimech), A. Alves, M. Maia.

BALZAN

D. Ciappara, S. Arab, T. Caruana (82 M. Grima), J. Busuttil. O. Awosanya, H. Stanic, L. Jankovic (82 J. Grech), L. Lukovic (74 R. Malepe), A. Akpan, R. Floro, E. Kamsoba (36 B. Hili).

Referee Ishmael Barbara.

Yellow cards: Da Silva Floro, Micallef, Awosanya, Jankovic.

OTHER RESULT

PIETA HOTSPURS         1

Mannino 56

MARSA            5

Farias 18

Engerer 52 pen.

Joao Vitor 78, 80

Micallef 84