Marsa 0

Floriana 7

The Greens had an easy passage to the second phase after disposing off the feeble challenge by Marsa who lie fifth from bottom in Section C. The Red-Blues were rarely in the game and only created one occasion early in the first period and from then on it was a one-way game.

Floriana went straight on the offensive in search of an early lead. Orianski Buhagiar served Andrea Grech on the right flank who after advancing crossed the ball and Marsa keeper Walter Farrugia neutralised.

In Marsa's only real attack during the whole game they won a corner kick on the left and from Clayton Xerri's flagkick Yakeo Urry headed out. Andrea Grech served Franridge Schembri with a through ball in the centre, the latter returned the compliment to Russell Marmara and Farrugia saved the latter's weak shot.

In the 20th minute Andrea Grech committed the miss-of-the-match. Owen Bugeja, up with the front line won a loose ball outside Marsa's area and after dribbling his way past two defenders he served Andrea Grech with a perfect pass and with only Farrugia to beat he drove out from one metre.

The Greens forged ahead on the half hour. Owen Bugeja again won a loose ball outside Marsa's area and passed the ball to Andrea Grech who this time made no mistake from the edge of the area scoring with a strong rising shot, and he obtained a brace six minutes later, Russell Marmara served Owen Bugeja with a short corner pass on the left flank who in turn crossed to Grech who netted with a low shot from close range and it became 3-0 just before the break after a choral move involving three players. Karl Grech served Neville Mifsud with a through ball in the centre, the latter put Marmara through who scored with a grounder from inside the area.

The second period was a total dominance by Floriana during which another four goals were scored.

Schembri crossed from the left to Orianski Buhagiar but his shot finished over the bar. Karl Grech then served Schembri with a through ball and the Marsa keeper saved his shot in two attempts. The fourth goal was scored on the 47th minute. Karl Grech crossed from the right to Marmara who headed towards Schembri and netted from close range. Substitute Tyrone Bugeja scored number five on 54 minutes as he finished a cross from the left by Schembri and five minutes later it was Tyrone Bugeja who made the spade-work for the sixth goal when he dribbled his way past two opponents on the right flank and served Marmara in the area who had the easiest of tasks to score from inside the area

The seventh and final goal was scored on 66 minutes through substitute Sean Micallef after he was put through in the area by substitute Marion Kokavessis. Floriana reduced their pressure during the remaining minutes maintaining only possession of the ball.

Referee: Jude Uturu

Naxxar Lions 1

San Gwann 3

San Gwann qualified for the second phase of the competition after beating Section B side Naxxar. The first period was very shorn of actions and it only came to life after Naxxar obtained a temporary equaliser. San Gwann had more of the exchanges after resumption and deservedly added two more goals.

The first action came from Naxxar as Jonathan Bilocca was put through in the area and San Gwann keeper Nicky Azzopardi had to dive at his feet to smother the ball thus foiling him from concluding. In San Gwann's first attack in the fourth minute they ahead. Ryan Zammit served Jerome Chetcuti with a through ball who entered the area after beating a defender and scored with a rising shot past a helpless Naxxar keeper Bjorn Attard. Naxxar's response after this early set-back was a cross from the right by Jurgen Balzan but libero Ryan Delia headed the ball away to safety.

At the other end, Conrad Buttigieg served Jamin Farrugia with a through ball but Gerald Sant foiled him from advancing any further by clearing the ball over the touch line.

Jonathan Bilocca fouled Fabio Arcaini on the left edge of the area and from the freekick shot by Ryan Zammit who floated an inviting ball in the area but found no takers in Naxxar's area, minutes later Ryan Zammit served Farrugia with a through ball but his cross from the right found nobody to apply the killer touch and Attard neutralised the ball unhindered.

Naxxar equalised on 25 minutes with a choral move between three players. Jurgen Balzan served Anthony Spiteri with a through ball in the centre, the latter returned the compliment to Adrian Fenech who hit a strong shot from the edge of the area with the ball thumping the crossbar with Azzopardi beaten and after Fenech followed the progression of the ball he hit in the rebound.

The last action before the break came from San Gwann as Ryan Zammit dribbled his way past two defenders down the left flank, was fouled by Bilocca and Attard saved the free-kick by Neil Goodlip.

The first action worthy of note after restart was after nine minutes. Goodlip served Farrugia with a through ball on the left edge of the area but he skied the ball from his shot and at the other end substitute Andy Bartolo served Balzan with a perfect through ball but his cross from the right finished over the bar.

On 56 minutes San Gwann regained their slender lead. Andy Bartolo won a loose ball outside Naxxar's area and after beating an opponent he served Bilocca in the area who netted with a low shot.

Five minutes later Naxxar went very close to equalising when a shot from outside the area by Adrian Fenech missed the bar by inches after he controlled a loose ball on the edge of the area.

Five minutes before the end San Gwann put the issue beyond any doubt when they won a freekick 30 metres away from Naxxar's goal and Goodlip scored a beauty with a strong rising shot.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri