Holders Sliema race past Marsa to reach FA Trophy quarter-finals

MARSA 0

SLIEMA WANDERERS 4

Awad 30; Alcino 41

Nwoko 47, 75

MARSA

A. Sylla, D. Agius (46 G. Aquilina), JC Aboumehdi, J. Marini (70 I. Abela), J. Engerer (80 R. Farias), J. Azzopardi, LA. Muscat, G. Bugeja, L. Micallef, S. Cipriott (70 I. Abela), S. Bugeja.

SLIEMA WANDERERS

J. Bender, J. Borg (64 N.Frendo) M. Priadun (68 N. Strickland), M. Beerman (64 T. Kikabidze), G. Alcino, Wescley (80 J. James), K. Nwoko, H. Murilo, G. Acheampong, S. Kone, M. Awad (64 E. Aguis)

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

Although David-and-Goliath tales and giant-killing acts are part and parcel of the FA Trophy, the ease with which Sliema Wanderers brushed aside Marsa is the inevitable result give the yawning chasm between the two teams.

Marsa tried their best to limit the damage, but their defensive line could do very little to deal with the relentless running of Mohamed Awad and Myles Beerman.

Apart from his goal, Awad was inspirational to his side, but Paul Zammit decided to rest him on 64 minutes when Sliema were well on their way to victory as early as the 41st minute.

The Wanderers subdued their opponents within the first 30 minutes as Awad served the ball to Henrique Freire who saw Amara Sylla, the Marsa goalkeeper, spectacularly saving his point-blank shot.

Moments later, Awad threw the Marsa defence off balance with another solo run on the right before unleashing a fierce drive that finished into the top corner.

The match was as good as over before the end of the first half when Sliema doubled the score.

Wescley floated the ball towards the centre of the penalty area and Gustavo Alcino headed the ball home.

Sliema were not to be denied a third goal, early in the second half.

Wescley hit a teasing shot which Sylla magnificently saved but the rebound fell kindly to Kyrian Nwoko who prodded the ball home.

 Fifteen minutes from time, Sliema added their fourth goal when Nwoko took another rebound to send the net bulging again.

It was all Sliema in the later stages of the match as Zammit’s troops sought to add to their tally as the Trophy holders advanced to the quarterfinals with ease.