Hibernians to face Ħamrun Spartans, Floriana land Birkirkara in Trophy quarter-finals

Hibernians and Ħamrun Spartans have been drawn against each other in a mouth-watering FA Trophy quarter-final clash as the draw of the last eight of the cup competition were held on Tuesday night.

The draw provided another exciting clash as Floriana, who are currently second in the Premier League standings, will be up against Birkirkara.

Elsewhere, Gżira United and Valletta were handed an easier route to the semi-finals as the Maroons were drawn against Sta Lucia while the Citizens will be up against Marsaxlokk, the only Challenge League club that is left in the competition.

But no doubt, the plum fixture is the clash between Premier League leaders Hibernians and Malta champions Ħamrun Spartans.

This season the two rivals have already faced each other three times in the Premier League.

In fact, Hibernians managed to prevail in the first two clashes against the Spartans, winning their first-round clash 1-0 and then the two teams played out a goalless draw.

The Spartans bagged their first success over the Paolites last Monday, when in their opening clash from the Top Six Round, the Reds prevailed 2-1.

On the other hand, Floriana and Birkirkara have met twice so far in the Premier League this season.

The first meeting between the two clubs ended in a 1-1 draw before Floriana edged the Stripes 1-0 in the corresponding second-round fixture.

The winners of these titanic clashes will go head to head in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, Gżira United will be up against a Sta Lucia side who are led by their former mentor Giovanni Tedesco.

The two teams have met twice this season and there is a complete balance as both matches ended in a draw, 1-1 in the first round and 2-2 in the second round.

On the other hand Valletta will fancy their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FA Trophy when they were paired with Marsaxlokk.

However, the Citizens would do well not to underestimate the southseasiders who ousted Sliema Wanderers in the previous round.

FA TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS

1. Gżira United vs Santa Lucia

2. Marsaxlokk vs Valletta

3. Floriana vs Birkirkara

4. Ħamrun Spartans vs Hibernians

Quarter-finals to be played on April 16 and 18

SEMI-FINALS

Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2

Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4

Semi-finals: May 10-11

Women’s Knock Out

Women’s champions Birkirkara were drawn to face Mġarr United in the quarter-finals of the Knock Out competition.

This match-up draws against each other to two best teams in the women’s championship as at the moment the Stripes are currently leading the standings on 34 points, nine clear of the same Mġarr United.

In the other quarter-finals, Raiders Lija will be up against San Ġwann while Swieqi United will take on Kirkop United.

Mtarfa have earned a direct berth to the semi-finals after they were awarded a bye to the semi-finals.

The women’s quarter-finals are scheduled to be played on April 17 and 18.

Women’s KO QFs

1. Birkirkara vs Mġarr United

2. Raiders Lija vs San Ġwann

3. Swieqi United vs Kirkop

Bye: Mtarfa

SEMI-FINALS

Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2

Winner Match 3 vs Mtarfa

Quarter-finals: April 17-18

Semi-finals: May 22