Qala Saints and Għajnsielem obtained identical 3-1 wins over Xewkija Tigers and Sannat Lions respectively to earn a place in the GFA Division One KO semi-finals.
Qala’s win over Xewkija matured with goals scored during the first half.
The Maroons had an excellent start and opened a two-goal lead through Julian Yoiti Bicudo and Jordi Parnis inside the first 15 minutes.
Qala could have added another goal on the half hour mark when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Nathan Chukwudi Njoku. But Emanuel Buttigieg’s shot from the spot ended over.
Xewkija fought back and pulled a goal back on 34 minutes through a header by Rodney Buttigieg.
The Maroons however re-established their two-goal lead on 38 minutes from a penalty, awarded for a foul by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin on Julian Bicudo, and converted by the same Brazilian striker.
Għajnsielem maintained their rich vein of form with a convincing win over Sannat Lions.
The Blacks dominated the encounter but Sannat’s goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg distinguished himself with a series of fine saves.
Għajnsielem, who also had two efforts coming off the post, took just two minutes to surge ahead through Patrick Dos Santos Cruz and the same player made it 2-0 from the spot on 37 minutes.
Sannat re-opened the issue against the run of play when Camilo Gonzales headed home from a corner.
But Għajnsielem ensured there would be no upsets when Cruz completed his hat-trick when converting a penalty on 72 minutes.
GFA Division Two
Promotion contenders SK Victoria Wanderers bagged their first win of the season when overcoming Żebbuġ Rovers 3-0.
The Wanderers wrapped up the points by the end of the first half following goals by Joseph George Vella (8) and a brace by Aud-Gustine James Obaje (36, 45).
St Lawrence Spurs and Għarb Rangers shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
This was a fair result in a match that produced very few scoring opportunities. With this result, St Lawrence won their first point of the season while for Għarb this was their second successive draw.
NEXT FIXTURES
KERĊEM STADIUM
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
BOV GFA Cup QFs
Xagħra vs Kerċem Ajax 12.45
SK Victoria vs Għajnsielem 15.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
BOV GFA Cup QFs
Oratory Youths vs Qala 12.45
Nadur Y. vs Munxar 15.00
