Sliema W 4

Mqabba 2

Sliema reached the last eight of the U *BET FA Trophy after beating Mqabba in the only all-Premier-League clash of the third round yesterday.

Sliema broke the deadlock on the 24th minute when Jackson Lima was halted in the box but referee Fyodor Zammit applied the advantage rule and Roderick Bajada steer his finish past Calleja from close range.

Two minutes later, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza crossed for Mitev. The Mqabba goalkeeper got a hand to the striker’s effort, but striker slotted in from the rebound.

Mqabba were handed a lifeline after 38 minutes through Cleavon Frendo’s freak own goal.

In the 72nd minute, Mqabba equalised when as John Paul Muscat headed in Calleja’s free-kick.

Mitev restored the Wanderers’ lead three minutes later, smashing the ball into the net from free-kick from the edge of the box. Jorge Silva compounded more misery on Mqabba after a solo run.

Sliema W A. Curmi, J. Mifsud, M. Scerri, JP Mifsud Triganza (78 C. Gatt Baldacchino), D. Mitev, S. Bezzina, Jackson Lima, R. Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva, C. Frendo (70 R. Grech), B. Muscat (87 R. Dalli).

Mqabba K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, M A. Bonnici, M. Briffa (85 M. Fenech), D. Azzopardi (87 R. Schembri), T. Mazzitelli (89 G. D’Amato), C. Calleja, JP Muscat, C. Micallef, S. Magro.

Referee Fyodor Zammit