APS Bank Under 16
Section A
Sliema 2
Mosta 0
The final score does not reflect the true difference between the two sides. Sliema dominated the proceedings throughout the whole 80 minutes. Keeper Michael Incorvaja had an easy afternoon as he was never really troubled. Mosta seem to be heading towards relegation as they have only 11 points from 17 games and are anchored to the bottom of the table.
The Blues started straight on the offensive. From a Mark Scerri flagkick, John Nwoba's header missed the upright. After a foul on Nwoba, Mosta keeper Chris Russo saved in two attempts a freekick by Mark Scerri.
Three minutes before the break Nwoba committed the miss-of-the-match as he drove out from two metres after a Valerio Mottola perfect cross.
Four minutes after the restart Sliema forged ahead from the penalty spot. Mottola entered the area after dribbling his way past two defenders and was tripped by Matthew Buttigieg who was shown a yellow card: Mark Scerri converted from the spot with a rising shot.
The Blues resumed their pressure. After an Nwoba cross Russo partially saved on Mottola and a defender cleared the ball to safety. From a Mottola corner kick Giuseppe Muscat drove over the bar and after a Nwoba cross Mottola skied the ball when well placed in the area.
Sliema doubled the score on 66 minutes. After Enyi Onyibuchi was fouled outside the area, Mark Scerri floated a perfect ball from a freekick in the area and Nwoba scored with a low shot.
After this goal Sliema reduced their pressure, and there was only one more action worthy of note till the final whistle when Enyi Onyibuchi square passed to Mark Scerri and Russo had to dive to save his shot.
Referee: Andre Sciriha
Player of the match: Mark Scerri (Sliema W)
Vodafone Under 16
KO quarter-final
St Andrew’s 2
San Gwann 3
St Andrew's took the field without four of their regulars who were not available because of school exams. They were only available to play midway through the second period. San Gwann had the lion's share of the exchanges during the first period and the second period was a balanced affair.
San Gwann went straight on the offensive. Luke Sciberras square passed to Dillan Mousu who missed the upright with his shot.
Yorath Curmi crossed to Mousu who missed the bar by inches with his shot and Cauchi foiled Ben Halim with a timely sortie after a Shawn Vella through ball. From a Sergio Hili cross Zammit drove out when well placed.
In a St Andrew's attack, a cross by Simon Psaila found no takers in San Gwann's area.
Cauchi saved in two attempts a shot by Mousu after a Luke Sciberras through ball.
San Gwann forged ahead in the 29th minute. Sergio Hili crossed to Salem Ben Halim who scored from inside the area and three minutes later a Sergio Hili shot missed the upright after a Mousu perfect through ball.
The first action after the restart came from St Andrew's as San Gwann keeper Nicholas Vella saved a freekick by Timothy Martin. At the other end, Sergio Hili crossed to Ryan Zammit who drove out when well placed.
Cauchi then foiled Hili with a timely sortie after a Ben Halim through ball and a Ryan Zammit shot missed the bar by inches after a Shawn Vella cross.
On 58 minutes San Gwann doubled the score through Shawn Vella after a Ben Halim cross. After Chris Dalli was fouled outside San Gwann's area, a freekick by substitute Michael Amato missed the bar by inches.
On 64 minutes St Andrew's reduced the deficit. From an Amato corner kick Timothy Martin headed goalwards and Sergio Hili, standing on the goal line, did the goal keeping act and was red carded with Michael Amato converting the resultant penalty.
On 72 minutes San Gwann added a third goal through Ryan Zammit who finished a perfect cross by Dillan Mousu and two minutes from time St Andrew's again reduced the gap. Substitute Karl Camilleri crossed to Michael Amato who netted from inside the area.
Referee: Alexei Tabone
Player of the match: Ryan Zammit (San Gwann)