Qormi put three past Birkirkara to advance to semi-finals

Qormi look to be the team to beat in the FA Trophy competition as they have reached three finals in the past four seasons.

Birkirkara's dominance from the start paid off as they took the lead on the 17th minute. Off a pass by Shola Shodiya to Paul Fenech, the latter dribbled past Qormi's defenders to finally beat goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia with his shot.

Birkirkara were close to scoring again when off a cross by Edward Herrera, Shola Shodiya's header went wide.

Qormi managed to get back in the match when they scored the equaliser on the 31st minute.

Off a freekick by Triston Caruana, Alfred Effiong attempted to go for a header but Birkirkara's Alejandro Mendoza headed the ball past goalkeeper Justin Haber as he was trying to clear the ball to safety.

Birkirkara went close to scoring on the 37th minute when Haruna Shola Shodiya's low shot hit the woodwork.

Qormi's goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia had to be substituted on the 43rd minute when he looked to pick up a serious injury as he was carried to a awaiting ambulance that took him to the hospital.

In added time, Qormi managed to take the lead for the first time in the match. Goalkeeper Justin Haber came out of his area to intercept a cross by Alfred Effiong, but he missed and Leighton Grech easily scored in an open net.

Birkirkara were trying everything to try to score the equaliser in the second half and they almost managed but some great goalkeeping by Steve Sultana kept the ball out of the net. An attempt on goal by Ronaille Calheira Seara was stopped by Sultana on the goal line.

Qormi sealed their victory on the 90th minute when on a swift counter-attack, Alfred Effiong dribbled past goalkeeper Justin Haber to have his shot blocked by Mendoza but off the rebound, Lucas Maximilian Cantoro easily scored from close range.

QORMI Matthew Farrugia (43′ Steve Sultana), Owen Bugeja (3′ Emerson Vella), Giorgio Gianola, Joanthan Bondin, Duncan Pisani, Raffaele Simone Quintieri (73′ Roderick Bajada), Triston Caruana, Joao Gabriel da Silva, Lucas Maximilian Cantoro, Alfred Effiong, Leighton Grech.
Subs not used: Jorge Pereira da Silva, Dylan Pirotta, Karl Sciortino, Stefano Zampa.
Coach: Karel Zeman

BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Joseph Zerafa, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Frank Temile (75′ Ronaille Calheira Seara), Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna (58') Ryan Camenzuli), Paul Fenech, Haruna Shola Shodiya, Edward Herrera, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (79′ Terence Vella).
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat, Kurt Zammit, Daniel Zerafa.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Ville Nevalainen (FIN)
Assistant Referees: Ville Kuskiniemi, Mika Lamppu (FIN)
Fourth Official: Marko Gronholm (FIN)
Yellow Cards: E. Vella, Temile, Quintieri, Scicluna, Shodiya, Herrera
Scorers: 17′ Paul Fenech; 31′ own goal Alejandro Mendoza; 45+2′ Leighton Grech; 90′ Lucas Cantoro