Meridianbet FA Trophy – Quarter Final
Valletta………………….3 (after extra time)
Ħamrun Spartans……1
Once again, Ħamrun Spartans must wait for another season to try and win their first Meridianbet FA Trophy in 35 years. On Wednesday, they were knocked out by their rivals Valletta after extra time.
The first half did not produce any goals, but there were two incidents that needed to be checked by the Video Support system. In the 25th minute, Ħamrun found the net through Eleke Blessing. However, after a review, the goal was disallowed by referee Petrovic because of a foul by Mbong on Mbende at the start of the move.
In the 40th minute, Ħamrun appealed for a penalty after contact between Mbende and Eleke Blessing. After consulting again with the Video Support, Slobodan Petrovic decided there was no foul.
On the hour mark, Valletta took the lead when from the right, Tavares anticipated Bonello’s movement and passed the ball into the middle, where Yankam headed it into the net.
In the 65th minute, Modica made three substitutions at onceand just seconds later, two of the substitutes combined for the equaliser for Ħamrun. Jonny won the ball from Steve Borg and passed to El Fanis, who scored with a low shot.
As the match went into extra time, Valletta went back in front in the 115th minute. Paiber passed to Tavares, who set up Miejer beat Bonello from close range.
In the remaining minutes, Ħamrun pushed everyone forward in attack. In the 126th minute, Jonny fell inside the penalty area, but the referee allowed play to continue with Brandon Paiber running almost the entire length of the pitch before beating Bonello again to seal the victory.
