Vittoriosa Stars pulled a surprise win against favourites Marsaxlokk to advance to the next stage of the U*BET FA Trophy.

Marsaxlokk started without five regulars, but that is no excuse for their placid performance yesterday. The Southseasiders were a pale shadow of the team that performed so well against Birkirkara in their previous league match and could have even conceded a cricket score had Vittoriosa converted all their chances, especially in the first half. It says something that Jean Vella, in the Vittoriosa goal, was never severely tested

Buoyed by the return of Brazilian Edison in midfield and a strengthened defence with Jeffrey Chetcuti and Steve Wellman, Vittoriosa went about their work with more self belief after their drubbing against Floriana in the previous league match.

Making the more assertive start, they carved out three scoring opportunities before the game was even 20 minutes old.

They took an early lead after five minutes when Maccari’s free kick, destined to go out, was cleared by a Marsaxlokk defender into the path of Jorge Silva who squeezed the ball between keeper Zammit and the post.

Ten minutes later Vittoriosa could have doubled the score. The Marsaxlokk keeper fisted out Ewurum’s cross towards Silva who shot narrowly wide.

And on 18 minutes, on Edison’s low cross, Ewurum clipped the foot of the post with his low counter drive.

After Marsaxlokk had a claim for a penalty, on Chetcuti’s handling inside the area, turned down by the referee, Vittoriosa threatened again past the half hour. Edison hit the underside of the bar with a thunderous direct free kick and the ball rebounded for Silva to head from close range but keeper Zammit somehow held out.

Marsaxlokk suffered a blow on 38 minutes when central defender Clive Brincat was stretchered off and substituted by Eboh.

Vittoriosa scored their second three minutes after the restart. Leighton Grech managed to slide a low cross from the left, although faced by the keeper, and Anthony Ewurum toe poked the ball in an unattended goal.

Marsaxlokk failed to make a reaction even though they put in Sciberras and Effiong. The delivery of their crosses was poor and their forwards remained innocuous.

Not surprisingly, Vittoriosa, who remained the more potent going forward, sealed the issue on 72 minutes. Leighton Grech turned past Spiteri inside area after picking Edison’s cross, and shot past the helpless keeper Zammit.

Only belatedly, Marsaxlokk started to mount some sustained pressure, but substituting Chetcuti with Sharlon Pace, the Stars remained composed at the back, shutting out their opponents with minimal difficulty.

Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit, M. Licari, C. Brincat (S. Eboh), A. Spiteri, E. Yanchev, T. Templeman, P. Pullicino, F. Raimy, R. Guerreiro (G. Sciberras), R. Darmanin, J. Alcorse (A. Effiong)

Vittoriosa S: J. Vella, C. Micallef, M. Maccari, J. Chetcuti (S. Pace), L. Edison, R. Grech, J. Silva (L. Lagana), A. Ewurum, S. Wellman, L. Grech (D. Cachia), J. Camilleri

Referee: K. Azzopardi asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Mercieca 4th official: E. Azzopardi

Scorers: J. Silva 5, A. Ewurum 48, L. Grech 72

Yellow cards: F. Raimy, T. Templeman, M. Maccari, S. Wellman