Ħamrun Spartans eased into the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy when breezing past Fgura United 5-0 at the Centenary Stadium.
While the final scoreline might suggest that the match went all Ħamrun’s way, in reality Challenge League side Fgura United produced a battling display for much of the first half, creating several opportunities.
However, their hopes were jolted with the dismissal of Samuel Buhagiar for two yellow cards and from then on, the Spartans were in cruise control.
After the break, they stepped up a gear against the ten-man Fgura and scored four more goals to seal a comfortable move.
The Spartans will now await the winner of today’s clash between Valletta and Tarxien Rainbows.
Ħamrun were off to a fast start after six minutes when Matthew Guillaumier set up Daniel Bulevardi, who fired past Yenz Cini.
Fgura were not disheartened and three minutes later, Karl Formosa’s cross was not controlled by goalkeeper Celio, but Lee Pisani fired over.
Celio was again at his best on 16 minutes to push away Dylan Caruana’s shot. From the resulting corner, Samuel Buhagiar headed just wide from close in.
Ħamrun thought they doubled their lead on 31 minutes.
Fgura failed to deal with a cross, and Mouad El Fanis teed up Bulevardi, who fired home. However, the goal was annulled for an offside position of N’Dri Koffi in the build-up after the Football Video Support was consulted.
The Challenge League side suffered a blow when Buhagiar was dismissed for a second-bookable offence.
With a man more on the pitch, the second half saw the Spartans take full control.
On 48 minutes, Shaisen Attard hit a thumping drive that was pushed away by Cini.
But the young forward was not to be denied as two minutes later, Eder set up Attard, who hit a firm drive that gave no chance to Cini.
Fgura looked down and out, and Ħamrun added a third goal when Jonny found Bulevardi, who picked up Attard on the edge of the area, and the young forward hit a firm drive that flew into the net.
The match was long settled but the Spartans still added two more goals.
On 77 minutes, Guillaumier sent a low cross towards Jonny, who stabbed home.
In stoppage time, Ryan Camenzuli sent a fine cross toward Damir Ceter, who headed home.
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