St Andrew’s: J. Debono, I. Borg (B. Chetcuti), A. Galea (T. Ghirxi), S. Falzon, J. Sank, R. Briffa, J. Sant Fournier, A. Galea, R. El Magiem, M. Mangion, M. Hyzler

Marsa: I. Casha, D. Vella, K. Scerri, T. Thomas, N. Slavtchev, N. Fasinelli, B. Zammit (D. Gatt), S. Meilak, J. Casha (G. Martin), J. P. Zammit, R. Micallef

Referee: S. Tanti Asst. refs: J. Rapa, N. Debattista

Scorers: J. Casha

Marsa had to toil hard yesterday to book their passage into the next round of the competition as only a first half goal, scored in a fortuitous manner, separated both teams at the end.

St Andrew’s may feel aggrieved after giving more than their fair share of offensive play, despite starting the match as the underdogs.

Their build-up play deserved more than that but their finishing left much to be desired. Their strikers were culpably profligate.

Marsa were good in the first half but were subdued and put under pressure in the second. Even the inclusion of their promising youngster Gilbert Martin failed to up the tempo.

Marsa had the better of the early exchanges and during the first quarter hour they went close on a couple of occasions. A Thomas diagonal shot was saved by St Andrew’s keeper Debono and later the same Marsa player hesitated too long on a Zammit pass and Debono could save.

Gradually, St Andrew’s pulled themselves into the match and on 17 minutes Sant Fournier combined well with Borg on the right flank. The latter's shot was blocked.

Midway through the half, Thomas' firm header on a Scerri cross was tipped over the bar by keeper Debono.

On the half hour St Andrews again looked menacing. Hyzler headed a good ball in Raschid's path who advanced, played it back to Hyzler who, however, lofted the ball from an ideal position.

Marsa's persistent search for a goal paid dividends two minutes from half-time, albeit by accident. Zammit's corner kick from the left was headed by Joseph Casha, the ball rebounded off the Saints' defender Arnold Galea and was deflected past the helpless Debono.

Marsa kept up their offensive ploy after the restart. However to St Andrew’s fell the best chances of the half. On 54 minutes Anthony Galea put Raschid clear. Hyzler failed to connect on his perfect cross in front of a gaping goal. Towards the hour the Saints were unlucky when awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Anthony Galea's fierce drive thumped against the bar after being deflected by keeper Casha.

On 69 minutes, substitute Chetcuti failed to capitalise on Marsa's defensive hesitancy between Vella and Scerri, lobbing the ball over.

And in the late stages, St Andrew’s fluffed yet another good opportunity when a Ghirxi cross was headed wide by Mangion.