San Gwann 3

Marsaxlokk 5

Second Division side San Gwann bowed out of the U*BET FA Trophy competition after a gallant display against Premier League side Marsaxlokk in an entertaining match that produced eight goals and other scoring chances.

San Gwann were handicapped with the sending off of defender Keith Vella on the hour, making their task even more difficult. Marsaxlokk were found lacking at the back with goalkeeper Reuben Gauci at fault in the first goal suffered, and rather shaky in other instances.

Both sides went very close in the opening minutes and Marsaxlokk took the lead on ten minutes when Modesto Valeriani passed towards Malcolm Licari who nipped in and scored from close range. Marsaxlokk tried to control the match and went close again on 28 minutes when Malcolm Licari’s spectacular overhead kick missed the target by inches.

Two minutes later San Gwann obtained the equalizer when a Chris Pace freekick completely deceived Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Reuben Gauci who completely misjudged the flight of the bal that finished at the back of the net.

Marsaxlokk went close again on 38 minutes with a Malcolm Licari header, and three minutes from time they were back in front. A Valeriani corner created havoc in the San Gwann defence and Sunday Eboh finished it off from close range.

On the resumption Marsaxlokk pushed for a third goal, but were stunned on 56 minutes when San Gwann obtained a second equalizer with a fast break that was finished by Richard Attard with an angled shot.

On the hour Jean Paul Farrugia missed a sitter for Marsaxlokk and three minutes later San Gwann were dealt a severe blow when Licari was floored by Keith Vella, with the San Gwann defender sent off, and from the resultant penalty Modesto Valeriani scored with a central shot.

It looked gloomy now for San Gwann, but it was not to be as they were back on level terms four minutes later when Richard Attard scored a beauty direct from a freekick.

Twelve minutes from time Marsaxlokk were in front for the fourth time when Sunday Eboh first timed home a Jean Paul Farrugia cross from the left. San Gwann continued to fight against all odds but threw in the towel five minutes from time when Carlo Mamo’s fine run was finished by Malcolm Licari who beat Nagy from close range for the fifth and final goal.

San Gwann – D. Nagy, K. Vella, D. Cosaitis, M. Francica, Q. Bregman, A. Borg, P. Xuereb, C. Pace (C. Cuschieri), R. Attard, J. Borg (S. Vella), C. Cacciattolo (M. Asciak).

Marsaxlokk – R. Gauci, M. Valeriani, C. Brincat, P. Borg, C. Mamo, K. Polidano (S. Cutajar), S. Eboh, J.P. Farrugia (D. Grech), G. Caruana, D. Kokavessis (T. Templeman), M. Licari.

Referee – Trustan Farrugia Cann