Birkirkara defeat Valletta to reach FA Trophy final

They will face either Qormi F.C or BOV Premier League Champions Hibernians in the final on 23 May.

After this defeat, FA Trophy holders Valletta end the season empty-handed, finishing second in the BOV Premier League, as well as being defeated by Birkirkara in the BOV Super Cup in August.

Birkirkara and Valletta played a very cautious match, creating very few scoring opportunities.

In the first half, Birkirkara were the better side, though that is not to say they created many scoring changes.

But as the first half progressed, Valletta started to pressure their opponents, but they hardly put the stripes in danger.

In the second half Birkirkara produced the majority of chances in front of goal, but the Valletta goalkeeper managed to keep the ball out of the net.

The match would then have to be decided in extra-time or penalties.

Birkirkara managed to score the winning goal five minutes into the second half of extra-time when, off a cross by Liliu, Rafael Ledesma headed the ball down, to have Paul Fenech shoot the ball past goalkeeper Nicky Vella from close range.

Birkirkara:  Justin Haber, Matheus Bissi da Silva (61’ Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais), Nikola Vukanac, Mauricio Matias Latini Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa (108′ Nassir Ahmed Maachi), Zach Muscat, Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma, Edward Herrera, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna (83’ Paul Fenech).

Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Gareth Sciberras, Edmond Agius, Kurt Zammit.

Coach: Paul Zammit

VALLETTA Nicky Vella, Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Camilleri, Ryan Fenech, Hamza Barry, Roderick Briffa, Ikenna Paul Hillary (113’ Djamel Leeflang), Shaun Bajada (117’ Christian Caruana), Llywelyn Cremona (60’ Lateef Elford-Alliyu), Abdelkarim Nafti, Luke Dimech.

Subs not used: Ryan Caruana, Hamid Alkamali, Kurt Borg, Jean Borg.

Coach: Gilbert Agius

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Luke Portelli

Additional Assistant Referees: Adrian Azzopardi, Malcolm Spiteri

Fourth Official: Peter Abela

Yellow Cards: Scicluna, R. Fenech, Ledesma, Nafti, Hillary, Mazzetti, Dimech

Scorer: 110′ Paul Fenech