Swieqi Utd. FC 1
Hamrun S. FC 3
Simon Farrugia
Swieqi FC: E. Gatt, M. Attard, K. Muscat (L. Grech 64'), K. Sultana (S. Bugeja 42'), A.D. Schembri Wismayer, F. Nunes Fernandes, I. Salis (E. Ayorinde Tejumola 70'), M. Farrugia, J. Azzopardi, R. Taliana, D. Borg
Hamrun S. FC : E. Bartolo (J.C.Debattista 76'), A. Capitelli, C. Borg (K. Higgans 85'), J. Soares Ailton, M.R.Gauci, N. Leone, D. Borg (N.Muscat 90'), A. Scicluna, K. Micallef, V. Alhinho, M. Cinquini
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
Asst refs: Edward Spiteri, Duncan Spencer
4th official: Darryl Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Muscat, Capitelli, Leone
Scorers: Micallef 16', 63' , Taliana 78', Leone 90'
TMI Top 3 : 1. J. Ailton Soares 2. K. Micallef 3. V Alhinho
Hamrun Spartans registered a win over First Division Swieqi United to qualify for the Quarter Finals of the FA Trophy. It was a dull match especially in the first half with both teams increasing their momentum in the second forty five minutes.
Swieqi entered the competition in the Second Round being a First Division team. They made it to this stage defeating Mellieha 4-1 and Qormi 5-4 following a penalty shoot out. On the other hand Hamrun Spartans qualified from the Third Round eliminating basement side Tarxien Rainbows by the odd goal in three.
Just five minutes had elapsed when Hamrun had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Conor Borg set Ailton Jorge Soares who on entering the area was brought down in the area by Marc Attard. From the penalty that ensued goalkeeper Gatt blocked Soares effort.
Swieqi responded through Azzopardi who took the ball following a defensive mishap by Hamrun but his shot was far away from testing the opposing goalkeeper.
Hamrun took the lead on 16 minutes when off a Matthew Gauci cross from the left side Karl Micallef rose above
On 33 minutes Conor Borg tried his luck with a shot on the turn which sailed just over the bar. With Swieqi going near six minutes from the break when a Roderick Taliana shot finished just over the bar. And in first time added time a shot by Micallef was tipped into a corner by Gatt.
Two minutes into the second half Ailton Soares played a one two with Nicole Leone but with only Gatt to beat his shot was saved by the Swieqi goalkeeper.
Swieqi went near on 57 minutes when in a swift counter break Salis found Fernandes only for his shot to hit the side netting. Just past the hour Gauci passed towards Ailton Soares who had his shot deflected onto a corner.
Hamrun doubled their lead on 63 minutes. Conor Borg played a short corner towards Ailton Soares whose cross was perfectly met by Karl Micallef who headed home.
The Spartans were now in total control and in the 69th minute an Ailton Soares shot was saved with some difficulty by the Swieqi goalkeeper.
Swieqi United were back into it on 78 minutes when following a long throw by Ebenezer with Alhinho clearing the ball away and there was captain Roderick Taliana who rifled home from the edge of the area.
Ten minutes from the end of the match off an Alhinho cross Ailton Soares tested goalkeeper Gatt. With Hamrun sealing the issue in stoppage time when with Swieqi putting all personnel on the attack they broke in a counter attack with Ailton Soares passing towards the unmarked Nicole Leone who slotted home from close range.