This morning the likes of Qormi, St Patrick, Xghajra and Gozo will make a bid to book a place in the next round of the Rothmans Trophy when they take on teams from the Premier League. At the Hibs ground Qormi, from Division One will play Premier League side Naxxar Lions.

Both sides can field their best formation, as they have no injuries. Victor Fiteni and Andrea Bonnici will be hoping to repeat the deadly performance they gave against Mqabba. Although Qormi did not win that match they played some very exhilarating stuff. The Lions will be banking their hopes on their midfielder/forward Bogdanovic who is currently playing the best football of his career. Although Naxxar are more experienced, Qormi could still give them a few frights thanks to the form of former Hibernians striker Kenneth Abela, who ironically was wanted by Naxxar a couple of seasons back. This game kicks off at 9am.

In the second match at the same stadium, in-form Hamrun Spartans play St Patrick. This may be the most difficult match from the first division sides. Hamrun lost their last game to B’Kara nine minutes from time, a game they could have easily drawn.

There is no doubt that in Mauro Brincat, they have got a player for the future. The nephew of B’Kara and Malta’s Joe Brincat, the youngster is a joy to watch and will undoubtedly become as good as Joe, if not better, in the future.

The Saints are bound to be relying on the form of goalkeeper Alex Camilleri, but I would guess that Hamrun are already thinking about the next round.

The other matches this morning will be played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun. In the first round Pietà will take on Xghajra. Pietà are finding the going tough in the Rothmans Premier League and against an in-form Xghajra they could struggle. On their part, the first division side can field their best formation.

The Sunday FA Trophy programme finishes with the match between Lija and Gozo. Both sides will be without a number of regulars who are missing through suspensions. But it could be a very equal match even though Lija are showing they have not won promotion to make the numbers. Their 2-2 draw against Floriana last week confirms this. But on the other hand if Gozo could rekindle some of the earlier form they showed when they were beating everyone that came in their sight, things could become very difficult for Lija.