St Patrick obtained an easy passage into the second round of the U*Bet FA Trophy when they obtained a crushing win against Senglea.

Substitute Karl Micallef scored two goals in the space of two minutes at the start of the second half to kill off Senglea’s hopes of recovery. St Patrick had taken an early lead through a Matthew Fleri Soler header.

Both teams had several regular players missing from their line ups, but the Saitns were in a class of their own with Senglea in dismal form.

Apart from Karl Micallef, ex-Senglea striker Kenneth Abela played a blinder, having a say in three of the winners’ goals. Even Gordon Failla played a diligent match in midfield, whilst goalkeeper David Cassar showed some clean handling in his first appearance.

St Patrick had a dream start as they forged ahead after only two minutes play when Matthew Fleri Soler rose above friends and foe to head home a Gordon Failla corner.

This goal gave the Saints great confidence as they showed the better ideas in the opening minutes.

In fact ten minutes later St Patrick went very close to their second goal when Mark Pullicino was denied by goalkeeper Pulis, who was making his debut for Senglea, who blocked the danger.

Senglea’s first attempt at goal cam on 23 minutes when goalkeeper David Cassar who was also making the first appearance for St Patrick, turned into a corner a beautiful shot on the turn by Timmy Thomas.

Ex-Senglea striker Kenneth Abela should have done better on 33 minutes but his shot was weak and was easily saved by Pulis.

The start of the second period was even better for St Patrick who scored two goals in the opening two minutes to practically kill off Senglea’s hopes. Substitute Karl Micallef who had just came in at the start of the second half scored after only fifty seconds when he headed in from close range a Kenneth Abela header, with the Senglea goalkeeper fumbling the ball that rolled into the net.

Sixty seconds later, St Patrick were on velvet when Kenneth Abela made his way inside the area and crossed to Karl Micallef who tapped in from close range with an empty net at his mercy.

On 54 minutes St Patrick scored their fourth goal, from another corner action taken by Failla with Kenneth Abela heading home from close range.

The match dragged on with St Patrick controlling with relative ease Senglea’s pathetic attempts to score at least a consolation goal.

* * *

St. Patrick: D. Cassar, S. Dimech, K. Abela (T. Massa), M. Zerafa, M. Fleri Soler, G. Failla, M. Pullicino, M. Xerri (K. Micallef), E. Saliba, S. Magro, C. Micallef (A. Caruana)

Senglea A: C. Pulis, D. Gauci, D. Cosaitis, S. Aquilina, J. Gatt (K. Gera), F. Ellul (L. Vella), Tim. Thomas, C. Caruana, E. Azzopardi (B. Zerafa), M. Borg, G. Bonello

Referee: P. Caruana, Ass. Referees: C. Micallef, J. Rapa 4th Official: S. Tanti

Scorers: M. Fleri Soler, K. Micallef 2, K. Abela

Yellow cards: F. Ellul