Valletta-Sliema W. 3-3 (6-7 pens)

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli (D. Falzon), K. Scicluna, L. Dimech, S. Bezzina, G. Agius, J. Pace, D. Priso, R. Briffa, I. Zammit (E. Agius), S. Monesterolo (S. Giglio).

Sliema W: S. Agius (H. Bonello), A. Muscat (J. Mintoff), I. Azzopardi, B. Nisevic, M. Scerri, M. Bartolo, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, L. Dronca (N. Turner), I. Ciantar, R. Bajada.

Referee: C. Lautier, Ass. Refs: I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri, 4th Official: C. Pisani

Scorers: D. Priso, A. Muscat 2, I. Woods, G. Agius, S. Monesterolo.

Yellow cards: D. Priso, I. Azzopardi, L. Dronca, R. Bajada, S. Farfaro, A. Hogg, J. Chetcuti, J. Pace

Red card: D. Priso, J. Chetcuti

CHRIS CASSAR

Sliema Wnderers claimed their 20th FA Trophy victory beating ten-man Valletta in a penalty shoot-out after a dramatic final which ended 3-3. It was one of the most exciting finals in recent years with Valletta finishing on the losing end after having dramatically saved the match with goals on 93 and 96 minutes.

After a quite first half which was completely dominated by the Citizens, the second half erupted in a series of twist of events, with Valletta taking an early lead but finishing immediately with ten players as their goal scorer Priso was sent off.

Sliema immediately leveled the score and seemed heading for victory building a 3-1 lead, but Valletta never gave up and scored two incredible goals in injury time to send the match to extra time and eventually penalties. Sliema were more sharp from the spot with their substitute goalkeeper Bonello saving two penalties to send the Trophy Sliema's way.

Sliema finished a transitional season in style, whilst Valletta had to suffer the second blow in the space of six days, losing both the championship and the trophy after a whole season amongst the frontrunners.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit made two changes from the initial eleven that faced Hibernians in the championship decisive match, with Dyson Falzon and Edmond Agius making way for Sebastien Monesterolo and Rodrick Briffa respectively.

After only 30 seconds Priso blasted over the bar from three meters following an excellent Steve Bezzina cross from the left.Valletta held the upper hand in the opening minutes and went very close on fifteen minutes when Sliema's goalkeeper Agius and defender Ian Ciantar failed to communicate leaving space for Monesterolo who crossed towards Ian Zammit who hit the outer part of the upright.

On 27 minutes Monesterolo was put through by Gilbert Agius but the Argentine's shot on the turn missed the target. Ian Zammit tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot was completely off target.

Six minutes later in Sliema's first real danger Ivan Woods was left completely unmarked but Luke Dimech mad e a remarkable recovery to block the dangerous Sliema marksman. Ten minutes from the break Monesterolo headed wide an Ian Zammit cross from the left. Valletta played constantly in their opponents half and six minutes from time a Grioli was luckily blocked by Ian Ciantar.

No changes were made during the interval with Valletta again surging forward with Gilbert Agius testing Simon Agius from an acute angle. On 48minutes Valletta broke the deadlock in a fast break with Monesterolo serving Priso who beat Simon Agius with a perfect grounder. But drama was in the offing as referee Lutier sent off Priso for his second yellow card as the City striker removed the white strip in the goal celebrations.

Valletta had to defend their lead with ten players, and Sliema did not take much to level the score as three minutes later as Alex Muscat pounced on a Valletta defensive blunder to beat Hogg from close range.

Valletta looked uneasy and Paul Zammit substituted a nervous Ian Zammit with Edmond Agius. Sliema were a transformed lot now and Andrew Hogg saved Valletta when he stretched to save an Ivan Woods dipper.

Valletta were now on the receiving end and not surprisingly Sliema went ahead on 63 minutes when Bajada crossed from the left towards Ivan Woods who chested the ball down towards Alex Muscat who missiled in the top corner of the net.

Valletta substituted Grioli with Dyson Falzon to add more punch, as they stormed forward desperately to save the match. However as was the case against Hibernians, Valletta lacked ideas lacked up front as they left ample spaces at the back for the Wanderers' raids. And ten minutes from time Ivan Woods sealed Valletta's fate when he ran all alone from mid pitch to beat Hogg with a cute chip to send the Sliema supporters in raptures.

But there was more to come as Valletta's courage new no bounds. Ten minutes from time Edmond Agius was floored by Mintoff with the referee awarding the penalty from which Monesterolo failed to beat Agius who saved in style.

The six minutes of injury time had drama written all over them, as Sliema had to substitute their injured goalkeeper Agius. On 93 minutes Valletta pulled one back when Gilbert Agius headed past Bonello.

The Citizens continued to put the ball forward and on 96 minutes a Dyson Falzon deflected shot hit the post and Monesterolo was on hand to put the ball at the back of the net for an incredible draw as the loyal Valletta fans could not believe their eyes.

No further goals were scored in extra time even though both sides gave all their best with Sliema's Jeffrey Chetcuti sent off on 120 minutes.

In the penalty shoot out Sliema goalkeeper Bonello saved Gilbert Agius' and Bezzina's shots to give the prestigious Trophy to the Wanderers. Giglio, Dyson Falzon and Jamie Pace scored Valletta's other penalties, with Turner, Scerri, Nisevic and Woods scoring for the Wanderers. Rodrick Bajada missed Sliema's only penalty which was saved by Hogg.