Meridianbet FA Trophy: Valletta 3 Hamrun S. 1

Valletta reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after knocking out Ħamrun Spartans 3-1 after extra-time.

Dutch forward Steijn Meijer came back to haunt his former club as the Dutch forward, who was released by the Spartans during the January transfer window, struck the winner in extra-time to take Valletta into the semi-finals, where they will face Birkirkara.

Valletta were rewarded for a very disciplined display, which saw them defend boldly throughout the 90 minutes and took the chances that came their way.

On the other hand, Ħamrun dominated the match in terms of possession and had the opportunities to win it, but for the umpteenth time they were punished for their profligacy in front of goal.

Valletta started strongly, and after two minutes, Jake Azzopardi hit a thumping drive that finished just over.

Ħamrun’s response arrived on 16 minutes when, in a quick raid, Joseph Mbong, who fed Blessing Ekele and the Nigerian, picked Shaisen Attard who fired over.

Compri almost regaled Valletta the opener on 21 minutes when the Brazilian’s poor back pass was intercepted by Yannick Yankam, who was denied by the onrushing Bonello.

The rebound fell to Yuri Messias, who hit a firm drive that was cleared off the line by Emerson Marcelina.

Ħamrun thought they had taken the lead on 25 minutes when Guillaumier’s shot was pushed away by Adilson Maringa, the ball fell to Mbong, who set up Blessing Ekele, who fired home.

However, the ‘goal’ was annulled as referee Slobodan Petrovic deemed that Mbong fouled Emmanuel Mbende in the build-up to the goal.

The match remained evenly poised with Ħamrun dominating possession but rarely testing Maringa.

Three minutes from half-time, Ħamrun protested for a penalty when Ekele felt that he was brought down inside the area by Mbende.

But the referee, after consulting the Football Video Support, stood by his decision of not awarding a penalty.

Nine minutes into the second half, the Spartans came close when Ognjen Bjelicic picked up a short rebound, and his shot skimmed past the upright.

However, on the hour mark, it was Valletta who took the lead.

Diogo Tavares exchanged the ball with Andrea Zammit and the Portuguese forward chipped the ball into the path Yannick Yankam who headed home.

Here, Modica effected a triple change as Ekele, Attard, and Bulevardi made way for Jonny, Michele Carboni, and Mouad El Fanis in a bid to add fresh ideas to his forward line.

That triple change immediately reaped dividends as when play resumed, Jonny stole possession and fed El Fanis who hit a low drive that rolled past Maringa.

Ħamrun could have won it on 87 minutes when Mbong laid the ball to Michele Carboni who fired over as the match drifted into extra time.

In the seventh minute of the first half of extra-time, Ħamrun had a great opportunity when Carboni picked Mbong in space inside the area but fired over.

The Spartans paid dearly for this miss as on 115 minutes, Valletta struck the winner.

Jake Azzopardi chipped the ball inside the area where Tavares quickly squared the ball into the path of Meijer, who fired home.Ħamrun threw caution to the wind, and in the last minute of stoppage time, Jonny fell under the challenge of Azzopardi, but the referee waved play on.

Valletta sped into a swift counterattack, and Brandon Paiber drilled the ball past Bonello to seal the win.

Source: times of malta

VALLETTA: A. Aguero, M. Ellul, S. Borg (N. Micallef), A. Zammit (V. Meijer), J. Azzopardi, D. Ragala, Y. Yankam (T. Melillo), E. Mbende, Y. Messias (A. Adebayo Basher), S. Radic, J. Mendoza (B. Paiber).

HAMRUN S: H. Bonello, R. Compri (S. Xerri), M. Guillaumier, S. Attard (M. Carboni), (K. Serber), J. Mbong, V. Polito, O. Bjelicic, C. Eleke Blessing (Jonny), D. Bulevardi (M. El Fanis), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli (M. Garcia).

Scorers: 60′ Y. Yankam, 115′ S. Meijer, 127′ B. Paiber, 67′ El Fanis (H)

Yellow Cards: A. Maringa, J. Azzopardi, J. Mendoza (V), R. Compri, V. Polito (H)

Referee: S. Petrovic