Sliema Wanderers will be facing Hibernians in next Friday’s U*BET FA Trophy following their hard earned victory against a gallant and well organised Msida side. In fact the three-goal defeat is sheer injustice against Patrick Curmi’s boys, who completely faded out in the last ten minutes suffering the three goals that put Sliema in the final.

Msida threw in the towel in the dying stages of extra time when ex-Valletta player Stefan Giglio scored two goals in quick succession to put Sliema’s minds at rest, with Ivan Woods adding more misery by scoring the third goal.

It was a harsh decision on Msida as they played an excellent match and could have at least forced their opponents to the penalty shoot out.

But Sliema’s major experience saw them through yesterday. Msida played an excellent first half, and probably paid the price as they seemed to tire out as the game went by. However great praise must be given to all their players especially Paul Fenech, Karl Ebejer and Shaun Bajada.

Msida fielded Babatunde as their main striker, aided by Zongo. In midfield Paul Fenech and Karl Ebejer took centre stage with Shaun Bajada and Adrian Farrugia on the flanks. At the back Patrick Curmi fielded the usual four-man set-up with Tyron Farrugia and Josef Mifsud at the centre with Pio Scriha and Stefano Grima as lateral defenders.

Sliema had a similar set-up with Said, Pace, Ciantar and Carabott at the back, the latter substituting Jeffrey Chetcuti who limped off after fifteen minutes. Giglio and Mattocks were employed in midfield helped by the in-form Bajada on the left and Muscat on the right. Madzar and Ivan Woods were Sliema’s strikers.

Msida were the better team in the first thirty minutes giving Sliema no space to manoeuvre.

Actually, play was mainly in midfield where Curmi’s youngsters seemed to have to edge over their more fancied opponents.

However Omar Borg had to make the first save on 20 minutes when he tipped to a corner a dangerous shot by his team mate Mifsud who almost committed an own goal. Five minutes later Msida were very close to take the lead when Shaun Bajada’s free-kick was fumbled by Akanji but Claude Mattocks was on hand to clear the ball off the goal line.

On 27 minutes an Adrian Farrugia free-kick was headed by Tyron Farrugia but Akanji saved well. Babatunde had an irresistible run on 30 minutes but his shot was again saved by Akanji.

On 37 minutes Babatunde and Zongo ran down the right flank ripping the Sliema defence apart but Babatunde’s shot from an acute angle was again saved by Akanji.

Msida continued to hold the upper hand but Sliema went close again in stoppage time with a Pace header well saved by Omar Borg.

Sliema started on a better note in the second half with a Muscat shot going slightly wide. The same Muscat had to be substituted minutes later by Anonam. Rodrick Bajada tried his luck with a long range effort but Borg saved his shot.

On 54 minutes Msida a quick break down the right with Zongo breezing past Carabott before crossing to Babatunde who missed the good chance by shooting weakly out.

Msida tired out considerably in the second half as Sliema took the upper hand. Ivan Woods was pushed inside the area with the Wanderers appealing for a penalty but referee waved play on. Six minutes from time Babatunde missed an easy header in front of goal.

In extra time Sliema kept the pressure but Msida’s gallant display continued as fought for every ball.

After ten minutes they had a good chance when substitute Baldacchino passed to Babatunde who shot well over the bar.

The last quarter of the match started with a good Ivan Woods drive going inches wide. On the other end Tyron Farrugia’s freekick slightly missed the base of the upright.

Ten minutes from the penalty shoot out Sliema broke the deadlock when Stefan Giglio pounced on a loose ball inside the Msida penalty to fire in the top corner of the net.

Two minutes later the same Stefan Giglio wrapped Sliema’s qualification when he scored the second goal with a low shot following a fast Sliema break.

Msida had to substitute goalkeeper Borg with Manwel Bartolo and the substitute goalkeeper had to suffer the third goal as he was beaten by Ivan Woods for Sliema’s third and final goal.

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Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat (O. Anonam), B. Said, C. Mattocks, R. Bajada, J. Chetcuti (D. Carabott), I. Woods, A. Madzar, S. Giglio, I. Ciantar, S. Pace.

Msida SJ: O. Borg (M. Bartolo), P. Scriha, J. Mifsud, T. Farrugia, S. Grima, K. Ebejer, P. Fenech, A. Farrugia (R. Baldacchino), S. Bajada, O. Zongo, I. Babatunde.

Referee: A. M. Sant, Asst. Referees: K. Borg, J. Camilleri, 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: S. Giglio 2, I. Woods

Yellow cards: S. Giglio, S. Grima, B. Said, R. Bajada, O. Anonam