Gharghur 0

St.George’s 2

St George’s became the third team which progressed to the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy when they easily beat Gharghur by two goals to nil, both of which came in the first half.

In the first match of the afternoon valid for the Third Round of the FA Trophy, St George’s were expected to prevail against Gharghur in what initially appeared to be a one sided encounter.

In fact St George’s took the lead after 8 minutes when a fine pass by Chukwunyelu found Ruiz who slotted home past a hapless Zarb. On 15 minutes, St George’s should have doubled when Boutahir found himself with much space in the box but his effort went well over the bar.

Gharghur came close on 22 minutes when Luke Stivala shot wide from just in front of Marmara. But it was St. George’s who doubled on 39 minutes when from a well flighted corner, Boutahir headed home with a looping header which left Zarb stranded. A minute later, Ruiz waltzed his way into the box but his shot went well wide from a good position.

St George’s again came close on 52 minutes when Chukwunyelu ended up in the clear but his shot went well wide from a good position. Gharghur should have reduced the arrears a minute later but Vella was rather lazy not to conclude from an excellent position.

After a considerable lull due to an altercation on the bench and an injury to the Gharghur keeper, the next real chance came on 72 minutes when Azzopardi was in the clear for the reds but his effort was easily saved by Marmara.

In the dying seconds, Gharghur could have reduced the deficit but Borg Olivier’s lob ended up bouncing off the crossbar.

Gharghur - D. Zarb (J Cilea), L. Stivala, C. Farrugia, R. Debattista, H. Gatt Bonello, E Lapira (D Brincat), C Vella, K Azzopardi, M Borg Olivier, B Antignolo, I Curmi (B Perryacton)

St George’s - R Marmara, C Grech, E Sevasta, H Schembri, N Curmi, E Amaira, G Inguanez (A Mercieca), JL Ruiz (A Bonello), D Zarb, R Boutahir (K Grech), E Chukwunyelu

Referee - Karl Frendo Cumbo