Victoria Hotspurs 3 Kirkop United 1

In the first quarter final of the BOV Amateur Cup, Gozitan upstarts Victoria Hotspurs faced off against Kirkop United in what on paper was a balanced encounter. As expected, Victoria started strongly and had an excellent shot by Kurt Borg that was tipped over by Christian Ciantar after just 5 minutes.

But it was Kirkop who took the lead on 11 minutes when James Oghenekewaro finished with aplomb beating Steven Sultana. Victoria were stunned but reacted strongly and managed to equalize on 20 minutes when Eduardo Alvez Pereira managed to conclude after two attempts.

Victoria took the lead on 28 minutes when Ferdinando Apap headed beautifully home leaving Ciantar rooted. Victoria came close again on 65 minutes with a shot by Pereira that grazed the post. On 81 minutes another chance went begging for Victoria when substitute Christian Mercieca was in the clear, but his finish was a weak one.

The Gozitans made sure of the win 3 minutes from time when Roberto Rondinley concluded with an excellent low shot to send Victoria into the Amateur Cup semi-finals.

Xghajra Tornados 0 Pembroke Athleta 2

In the second match of the afternoon, Amateur League I highflyers Xghajra faced off against Pembroke. The former were fancying their chances for a good result here to become the second team to reach the Amateur Cup semi-finals.

The first half was a closely contested with goalscoring opportunities at a premium. In fact, the first real chance came on 43 minutes when Xghajra had a free kick from just outside the box with Chikh Ali Shaban whose fine shot was acrobatically saved for a corner by Clayton Rapa. From the resulting corner the same Ali Shaban had a header that ended up just wide.

Pembroke had their first opportunity on 56 minutes with a splendid shot by Kyle Sciberras Balbi that went just over the bar. And it was Pembroke who took the lead when a superb cross by Sciberras Balbi found Gomes Weverton who made no mistake with a simple tap in.

Although Xghajra attempted a reaction, Pembroke held on well and scored their second in stoppage time courtesy of substitute Malcolm Vella Vidal who slammed home from just inside the box sealing the victory and moving on to the Amateur Cup semi-finals.

Lija Athletic 1 Qormi 2

In the first match at the Sirens Stadium on Sunday, Lija Athletic faced off against fellow Amateur League side Qormi in what was expected to be a balanced encounter. The match started fast and furious with Qormi claiming a penalty after 8 minutes when Emmanuel Garba appeared felled in the box but the referee waved play on.

Qormi took the lead after 19 minutes when a well worked free kick ended with the ball falling to Dale Mifsud who made no mistake with a fine low strike. But Lija equalized a few minutes later when Ross Mcparland, who came on for Erjon Beu (suffered a horrible injury twisting his ankle), was felled in the box with the same player cooly sending Daniel Attard the wrong way.

The half continued in combative fashion but there was no more real goalmouth action. On 55 minutes, Qormi retook the lead after Emmanuel Garba had a first effort that was brilliantly saved by Bonnici with the rebound eventually coming to the Nigerian forward again who this time made no mistake.

Qormi had another fine chance to make it 3-1 when Dale Mifsud had a free kick which ended up grazing the side netting. Lija attempted to get back on level terms but despite some intense pressure, they never really troubled Attard with Qormi going through to the semi-finals.
 

Msida St Joseph 0 Mqabba 3

In the final quarter final of the Amateur Cup, Msida St Joseph faced off against Mqabba with the latter hot favourites to progress. It was Msida who made the early running however with Taiwo Akindele having a strong low shot that was well saved by Lydon Moore.

Mqabba had a good chance on 35 minutes when Philip William Agius had a shot that went just over the bar. Msida created another good opportunity on 58 minutes with a shot by Akindele that went just wide. Mqabba had another opportunity on 68 minutes when a shot by Gahou went well over the bar.

Mqabba eventually took the lead a minute later with an excellent header by Saturday Nananpere from close range. Seven minutes from time, Mqabba doubled with a classic counter and Cedric Tahouto Gaoue slotting home past Jonathan Mallia to send the Reds into the semi-finals. The icing on the cake came through a final goal in stoppage time courtesy of Julian Farrugia.