A 93rd minute strike by substitute Karl Ebejer saved Msida’s blushes as they beat Pieta 1-0 to move on to the semi final stages of the U*BET FA Trophy.
The match was heading for extra time when Ebejer spared those few present from another 30 minutes of nonsense football.
In fact the match failed to lift from mediocrity, with both sides unable to produce fast flowing football. The first half was more promising but in the second period both sides ran out of ideas, with Msida always holding the upper hand but never giving the impression they will win the game.
Pieta played the cat and mouse game waiting for their opponents’ lapses to operate their fast breaks. However they were more efficient in the first half when they even hit the upright.
The first minutes were very promising with Msida like a house on fire and with Hogg on the alert having to charge out of position to stop the Msida forwards, Nwoke and Zongo.
Although they were without Babatunde Msida held the initiative for long stretches in the first 25 minutes of the match having attempts at goal through Zongo and Dino Cachia.
Daniel Nwoke chested down well for Zongo who blasted well over the bar. The same Nwoke tried his luck on 23 minutes but Hogg saved without much difficulty.
After this opening patch in favour of Msida, Pieta started to get more into the game with Kondev and Deanov marshalling the side with their intelligent moves. On 26 minutes Galabov’s shot from long distance did not worry Omar Borg.
However Borg had to be alert five minutes later when he stretched himself to block a Refalo shot who was well served by Deanov.
With Pieta roaming all over the field with more grace than their opponents, the match entered an interesting phase with Curmi’s boys showing signs of uneasiness.
Pieta lost Provenzano who was substituted by Sheldon Grech and the newcomer immediately made his presence felt when he was served by Kondev and from an angled position fired a shot that beat Borg only for the ball to be stopped by the upright.
The second half was less intense with Msida trying to score the winner with Pieta defending well. On 65 minutes Paul Fenech passed to Nwoke who shot wide. Ten minutes later Zongo did all the running down the flank and crossed to Nwoke who to connect in front of goal.
On 80 minutes Bajada tried his luck direct from a freekick but Hogg saved well. In one of Pieta’s rare breaks, Grech passed to Herrera whose attempt was blocked by Omar Borg. In stoppage time substitute Karl Ebejer got hold of a loose ball just outside the area to beat Hog with a perfect lob and put Msida in the semi finals.
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Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Scriha, S. Grima (S. Vella), T. Farrugia, J. Mifsud, D. Cachia (K. Ebejer),S. Bajada, P. Fenech, R. Baldacchino, O. Zongo, D. Nwoke.
Pieta H: A. Hogg, M. Deanov, Q. Refalo, C. Pulo, C. Samut, R. Provenzano (S. Grech), S. Kondev (B. Sciberras), D. Mifsud, E. Herrera, R. Camilleri, R. Galabov.
Referee: A. Azzopardi, Asst. Refs: E. Spiteri, J. Camilleri, 4th official: S. Tanti
Scorer: K. Ebejer
Yellow cards: D. Cachia, S. Bajada, S. Grech