B’Bugia St.Peter’s became the first team to reach the semi-finals after they managed to beat Lija Athletics through an opportunistic second-half goal scored by Aldrin Muscat at a stage when the Saints were playing with a player less.

After only two minutes Lija were close through Glen Barry and in the 9th minute B’Bugia replied through Michael Ciappara whose free-kick was well saved by Vella. On 18 minutes B’Bugia created a good opportunity with Vince Camilleri crossing from the right flank but Aldrin Muscat arrived late with the Lija defenders clearing the ball to safety. Gradually play ensued in the midfield sector with Lija going close through an Antignolo free-kick which was saved by Fardell and with the Saints replying through Aldrin Muscat who hit just wide from close-range. A minute after the restart B’Bugia’s defender Michael Ciappara was shown the red card after making comments to the official.

Lija gained the initiative with B’Bugia being dangerous in their counter-attacks as they went close through James Galea whose effort was turned onto the post by Vella.

On other occasions B’Bugia were twice denied by Vella but they took the lead in the 76th minute with John Paul Barbara’s corner-kick being headed in by Aldrin Muscat. Lija created two good opportunities through Michael Mangion and Anthony Gera and in injury-time B’Bugia could have sealed the issue but Vella did well to stop a dangerous shot by Aldrin Muscat.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Dingli Swallows 1

Gudja United 0

Dingli Swallows joined B’Bugia in the semi-finals after beating Gudja United through a beautiful Jeffrey Zammit goal in a very difficult match. Gudja United shared the exchanges throughout the first period against league leaders Dingli Swallows.

After seven minutes Jesmond Micallef wasted an easy goal scoring opportunity through Jesmond Micallef and four minutes later the same player was unlucky as his header was cleared off the goal line by Jason Cachia.

Dingli replied through a Jeffrey Zammit free-kick which was saved by Glen Zammit with difficulty and on another occasion Etienne Farrugia hit wide from a good position. Just before the end of the first-half Gudja’s custodian Zammit brought off a fine save to deny Victor Fiteni.

Dingli gained the upper hand in the midfield sector after the break and early on they wasted an easy opportunity through Jason Cachia. Then the post denied Dingli from taking the lead and on other occasions they were very close through Jeffrey Zammit and Roderick Farrugia.

In the 67th minute Dingli gained an indirect free-kick which was taken by Darren Roe and Jeffrey Zammit with a splendid volley beat the Gudja keeper. Dingli were once again close through Chris Ciappara with Gudja’s late reaction producing a Louis Falzon free-kick which Abela turned onto the crossbar. In the 89th minute an incident led to Dingli’s midfield player Victor Fiteni being sent off by referee Tonna.

Referee: Glen Tonna.