Sliema W.-Qormi 1-0
Sliema W: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, S. Ohawuchi, C. Gatt Baldacchino, T. Cilia (J. Borg), P. Barbetti, M. Muchardi (I. Woods), S. Bianciardi, A. Vladavic
Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Bondin, E. Vella, G. Gianola, J. Bondin, D. Pisani, S. Quintieri, T. Caruana, J. Gabriel, A. Effiong, L. Grech
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, L. Portelli
Additional asst.refs: M. Borg, S. Spiteri
4th official: P. Abela
Scorers: I. Woods 90
Yellow cards: P. Barbetti, A. Effiong, M. Scerri, J. Mintoff
Attendance: 1937
Record winners Sliema Wanderers again reached their second U*BET FA Trophy final in five years after defeating Qormi in the semi final with a late strike from substitute Ivan Woods on the stroke of full time.
Although starting as favourites, the Wanderers struggled to down plucky opponents and had to weather some Qormi pressure in the second half before finally prevailing with a huge slice of good luck.
Qormi were also denied by the woodwork before conceding Sliema’s goal.
Qormi, surprise winners over Birkirkara in the quarter finals, were again facing strong opponents from the Championship Pool, in their bid to reach their third consecutive FA Tropht final. They were buoyed however by their present vein of good form, on the back of three consecutive league wins, as they fight for salvation.
Yesterday they presented their best eleven as Sliema gave starts to Trevor Cilia and Mark Scerri and replaced Henry Bonello with Glenn Zammit in goal following their previous league draw against Mosta. Ivan Woods went is as a substitute for Muchardi at the start of the second half.
In a tight first half, which provided very little action of note, the Wanderers enjoyed slightly more initiative although both sets of defences were fully in control. Cilia’s shot from a distance was easily saved by Qormi keeper Farrugia. On the other end, a Pisani low cross from the right fell to Effiong whose shot on the turn was also blocked by the grounded Sliema keeper.
On 22 minutes Ohawuchi ran inside the Qormi area and fell as he came into contact with defender Gianola, but the referee did not interrupt play.
Qormi were becoming too wasteful when in possession. Effiong’s cross at the start of the second half was too long for Jorge Pereira or Grech to reach on and when Effiong ran inside the Sliema area through the middle, keeper Zammit rushed out to stop him.
Past the hour, Muscat went dangerously inside the Qormi area from the left but shot straight on the goalkeeper.
With the withdrawals of Muchardi and Cilia, Sliema lost much of their verve as well as their grip on the match. Qormi improved considerably and carved two good chances. On 65 minutes Jorge Pereira played a square pass to Joao Gabriel but keeper Zammit did well to block with his feet.
Five minutes later Muscat blocked Grech’s effort as Qormi suddenly upped the tempo.
With ten minutes remaining they were unlucky when a Joao Gabriel free kick from outside the area thumped against the upright to the keeper’s right.
With 90 minutes on the clock and still goalless, the match looked heading towards extra time when Vladavic sent in a high cross from the right, the Qormi defence hesitated to clear and Ivan Woods nipped in to knock the ball over the line to put Sliema in the final against Valletta.