Tarxien R: S. Cini, S. Sadowski (S. Farrugia), M. Caruana, M. Micallef, J. Francica, O. Grech, A. Tabone, J. Schembri, P. Camilleri, M. Okoro, R. Darmanin

Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, E. Yanchev, K. Cassar, K. Scerri, C. Achokwu, V. Bellia, D. Cucciardi (S. Cutajar), J.P. Zammit (R. Micallef), I. Umoru, A. Scerri (W. Chircop)

Referee: A. Arciola Asst.refs: P. Agius, G. Barbara 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: I. Umoru, J. Francica, A. Tabone, A. Scerri, D. Cucciardi, O. Grech

Yellow cards : C. Achokwu, P. Camilleri, S. Farrugia, J. Francica, J. P. Zammit

Marsa became the last Premier side to reach the last eight of the U*Bet FA Trophy. But just like in the previous round against Qormi, they had to win a penalty shoot-out to edge First Division side Tarxien Rainbows after a 3-3 draw and make progress in the competition.

Marsa’s hero was goalkeeper Jonathan Debono who saved two penalties to decide an extremely balanced match which produced six goals and a highly entertaining first half. This was by far the best FA Trophy match of the weekend as Tarxien never looked inferior to their opponents and twice came from behind to draw level in a match of see-saw fortunes.

The match had an explosive start, producing three goals within the first 11 minutes. Marsa forged ahead after five minutes when Cucciardi played the ball forward to Ishaku Umoru who beat keeper Cini with a low diagonal shot.

Marsa’s lead was short-lived because two minutes later Tarxien drew level. Grech’s shot was parried by keeper Debono and Jonathan Francica was quick to blast in the loose ball.

By the 11th minute the Rainbows were in front. Darmanin played a square ball to Alan Tabone to shoot low past a helpless Debono.

Flowing football continued to entertain the small crowd present with half chances at both ends.

Midway through the half, Marsa restored equilibrium. Bellia laid the ball in Andrew Scerri’s path to steer the ball low beyond keeper Cini’s reach.

Marsa kept up the initiative and were rewarded three minutes before the break. The Tarxien defence failed to clear a Bellia free-kick from the right and Diego Cucciardi headed in from close range to give Marsa a narrow lead at half time.

Tarxien tried to step up a gear after the interval, putting in Farrugia for Sadowski. On 56 minutes Grech’s shot was blocked by Debono who did well to save Darmanin’s effort on the rebound.

Marsa lost some of their vigour after Cucciardi’s substitution while Tarxien put in Shead and twice went close with headers from Schembri but were foiled by keeper Debono’s timely interventions.

On 82 minutes the woodwork came to Tarxien’s rescue as substitute Chircop thumped his shot against the bar. On the other end, Omar Grech raced through the middle, beat his opponent’s challenge and rifled an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area to put his side on level terms and force extra time.

With the energy well drained up, scoring opportunities remained at a premium in an uneventful 30 minutes. The tie had to be decided on penalties and Marsa’s keeper Debono saved the third and fourth kicks from Francica and Farrugia respectively to eliminate Tarxien.