Birkirkara ease past Hotspurs to reach semi finals

Maachi marks debut with two goals

FA Trophy: Birkirkara reach semi-finals
FA Trophy: Birkirkara reach semi-finals

Birkirkara are the last team to join Valletta, Hibernians and Qormi in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after easily beating fellow Premier League side Pieta Hotspurs 3-0 this afternoon.

Debutant Nassir Maachi was an instrumental figure in Birkirkara’s emphatic win with the Dutch forward hitting twice against a very poor Pieta side.

In fact, Maachi came very close to opening his account just after 30 seconds from the start when the Dutchman’s angled shot deceived the Pieta keeper with the ball hitting the post.

On eight minutes Birkirkara went close again when Zach Muscat sent in a low cross that rolled across the penalty area finding midfielder Edmond Agius who hit the ball high.

On 12 minutes Birkirkara opened the score this time with Nigerian Shola Shodiya being involved in the play as his inviting cross was superbly met by Maachi to head the ball in the net.

Pieta tried to produce a rare offensive play through Claudio Frances with his low strike however easily turned into a corner by Justin Haber.

From the resulting corner, Birkirkara defender Scicluna almost put the ball into his own net after miscuing his clearance with the ball ending closely past the upright..

The Hotspurs improved as the first half progressed with the usual creator Claudio Frances hitting a through-ball to the advancing Christian Grech on 33 minutes but the defender's low effort was saved by the alert Haber

Before the break, Pietà's Ricardo Costa veered infield from the left but his central drive was again saved by Haber.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Camenzuli ran into the box after being spotted in by Maachi but his adventurous cross-shot skimmed the crossbar.

Maachi then darted past Grech before arrowing a fierce shot that sailed wide of the far post.

Birkirkara continued to produce the better chances and on 64 minutes Nikola Vukanac headed wide from close range and closely after Shodiya was denied by the post through a powerful header.

The Stripes however managed to increase their lead 14 minutes from the end when Herrera slid a ball to Haruna who passed to an unmarked Maachi to put the ball into the net.

Maachi was denied a hat-trick on his debut by the woodwork after the Dutch had connected with Zach Muscat's headed assist with the ball going off target.

Substitute Kurt Zammit secured Birkirkara's win as the youngster raced into the box from the left and placed his shot past Cassar for a final score of 3-0.

Birkirkara; Haber, Sciclune (Herrera 70'), Vukanac, Mazetti,Haruna, Maachi (Zammit 80'), Fenech (L.Muscat 87'), Z.Muscat, R.Muscat, Camenzuli, Agius

Pieta; Cassar, Attard, Grech, Dos Santos, Pisani, Anonam (Agius 46'), Cesare (Pace Cocks 76'), Da Silva, Newuche (Gabriel 66'), Frances, Ricardo Costa

Man of the Match: Nassir Ahmed Maachi

Referee: George Kruashvili

Scorers: Maachi 12', 76, Zammit 83'