Hamrun Spartans won an enthralling semi-final against Floriana to reach the final for the first time after 13 barren years.

It was a thrilling encounter, worthy of a cup tie between two teams hungry for success.

Hamrun looked cruising to an easy victory when they were already three up by the first half hour, scoring their goals within a seven-minute devastating burst that left Floriana licking their wounds. But just before the break, the Greens pulled one back and after scoring a second past the hour, they looked like saving the match, especially because Hamrun looked in danger of buckling under their opponents' pressure at that stage.

A penalty scored by their skipper and influential midfielder Ryan Fenech, 15 minutes from time killed all Floriana's hopes and Hamrun could then defend their lead with minimal difficulty.

Floriana had Darmanin not fully fit and Eboh was preferred to Krsteski in the starting line-up. Christian Caruana has not still recovered from injury. Hamrun had all their players available, with Timotic, Mangion and Effiong all back in the team.

The teams' attacking intentions lent the match an explosive start with Floriana immediately going close with a Cassar free kick whizzing over the bar.

On ten minutes, the Hamrun defence had to survive a scare when Bolasie darted in between the hesitant Roderick Fenech and Timotic, but keeper Sullivan did well to stretch himself and just tip the ball into a corner.

Floriana still looked the more menacing during the first 20 minutes. Cilia's cross caught the Hamrun keeper out of place. Attard cleared before Bolasie could connect.

But midway through the half, Hamrun took the lead. Stephen Meilak left keeper Agius hooked to his line with his glancing header on Ryan Fenech's sailing free kick from right.

Hamrun's confidence blossomed and within five minutes they were two up. Spiteri played an intelligent pass forward to Alfred Effiong, whose pacey run put him clear, and when faced by the goalkeeper, he kept his cool and slotted the ball in.

Floriana ran the risk of being swept away by their rampant opponents as they collapsed to concede a third goal past the half hour. Ryan Fenech's free kick from the right was flicked by Effiong towards the unmarked Gaetan Spiteri at the far end, to tap the ball in from close range.

With Floriana looking jittery and demorilised, coach Doncic opted for a double substitution. He put in Pisani and Krsteski for Briffa and Ciantar. Krsteski was lucky to escape with only a caution when he purposely disinterested himself of the ball and elbowed the advancing Effiong from midfield, but referee Lautier was in benignant mood.

And deep in four minutes of the half's added time, Floriana pulled one back. Mauro Brincat struck a low shot from the edge of the area on Cassar's cross to give the Greens a lifeline before halftime.

Floriana went into the second half in more lively fashion and managed to put Hamrun under some sustained pressure. Monye's erratic clearance inside area allowed Brincat to pass the ball to the unmarked Cassar, whose shot was well saved by keeper Sullivan. Floriana played their last trump card. Ryan Daranin went in for Micallef and on 64 minutes, the Floriana forward won his aerial duel to beat Sullivan with a firm header on Brincat's cross from the left.

That put Floriana one goal away from drawing level as they looked capable of pulling off a surprise comeback, as Hamrun seemed to have run out of ideas. But on one of Hamrun's rare forays, Eboh floored the irresistible Effiong inside the area to concede a penalty on 75 minutes. Ryan Fenech stepped up to send keeper Agius the wrong way.

That practically sealed victory for the Spartans. Floriana were unable to surmount a two-goal deficit and for the remaining minutes, after effecting all three substitutions, they almost toyed with their opponents to book a place in next Saturday's final, hoping that their fairytale season does not end here.

The smiling Hamrun coach Marco Gerada said after the match that he was very pleased with the way his team played and obeyed all instructions. Although he never doubted his team's attacking potential, he was rather surprised that Hamrun scored three goals in quick succession to practically put their grip on this semi-final, confirming that Hamrun are capable of beating anyone on their day.