Floriana qualified for the second round of the preliminary stages of the Conference League after eliminating Haverfordwest 5‐3 on aggregate, and will now face Ballkani of Albania in the second round.

It was not an easy ride however for Floriana who started the match with the 2‐1 advantage obtained at Ta' Qali last week.

The match started with a negative twist for the Greens who suffered two early goals as Haverfordwest had an impressive start taking a two‐goal lead by the 17th minute.

But Floriana did not lose their composure and fought back to level matters by the end of the first half, with Haverfordwest reduced to ten men in the action that led to Floriana's equaliser from the penalty spot.

In the second half Floriana controlled the match and even took the lead to secure a place in the second round of the competition.

On eleven minutes Haverford‐ west took the lead through Walters and six minutes later Ahmun, the same player that opened the score in Malta, dou‐ bled for Haverfordwest.

Two minutes later Floriana pulled one back with a goal from Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.

Just before the break Floriana obtained a penalty and Haver‐ fordwest had Jones sent off.

From the penalty spot Jake Grech made no mistake.

In the second half Floriana were in control even though Haverfordwest never gave away an inch.

On 67 minutes Mombwa scored the winner, a great goal from an almost impossible position, with the ball rocketing in the roof of the net.

Haverfordwest: L. Rees, D. Rees (E. Scotcher 78′), K. McCarthy, A. Jones, R. Watts (I. Humphreys 57′), G. Walters, C. Shephard, R. Abbruzzese, B. Ahmun, D. Hawkins (L. Owen 78′), B. Faw‐ cett (O. Jones 65′)

Floriana: G. Cioletti, C. Zammit Lonardelli (A. Garzia 32′), L. Lopez, I. Mendonca, G. Gamarra, C. M'Mombwa (M. Veselji 83′), J. Grech, D. Vella, T. Glisovic (Z. Scerri 65′), M. Jah, F. Varela

Referee: J.Gonçalves (Portugal)

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Birkirkara's European hopes were quashed in Moldova as Petrocub emerged 3‐ 0 winners to go 3‐1 on aggregate.

Birkirkara started the match defending their precious one‐ goal lead obtained at Ta' Qali last week thanks to an Aceampong well taken second half goal.

Birkirkara absorbed the pres‐ sure in the first half as Petrocub, as expected, pushed forward to take the lead.

On 39 minutes Petrocub broke the deadlock when Mihai Lupan put the ball at the back of the net.

The same Lupan made it two ten minutes into the second half, to put his side for the first time in front on aggregate.

Birkirkara tried to get back in the game adding punch upfront with Macula coming in for Mi‐ callef.

But Petrocub made life rather difficult for the Stripes with high pressing, keeping away the Birkirkara forwards away from the danger zone.

On 76 minutes Petrocub put the issue beyong doubt when they scored a third goal through Rotaru.

This was the killer blow for Birkirkara who had no time and strenght to recover, with Petrocub advancing to the next round 3‐1 on aggregate.

CS Petrocub: S. Smalenea, I. Jardan (D. Demian 90′), M. Potir‐ niche, C. Ngah, I. Bors, S. Platica, V. Bogaciuc (D. Spataru 90′), J. Djou, V. Ambros (D. Puscas 67′), M. Lupan (N. Rotaru 73′), M. Co‐ jocaru (P. Popescu 73′)

Birkirkara: M. Martinez, L. Cordova, S. Marjanovic, N. Mi‐ callef (Macula 57′), L. Lacunza, D. Makoma, A. Satariano, M. May‐ dana, G. Acheampong (J. Busuttil 78′), F. Sasere, K. Reid

Referee: O. Çakir (Turkiye)