Holders Qormi through Balzan ousted after penalties

Sirens 0
Pembroke Athleta 1

Pembroke were the first team to qualify for the semi-finals last weekend after eliminating Sirens thanks to a first-half goal scored by David Azzopardi.

It was sweet revenge for Roland Sollars' team who were beaten by Sirens earlier this season in a Division Three match.

Azzopardi hit just wide for Pembroke early on and then Joe Gauci wasted a glaring opportunity after pouncing on an indecision by Sirens keeper Romeo Schembri.

Jeffrey Fenech and Gauci tested Schembri with Sirens replying through a Richard Buhagiar free-kick that was dealt with by Debattista.

On 42 minutes, Azzopardi unleashed a fierce drive from the edge of the box that flew past Schembri and into the net.

After the change of ends Sirens surged forward in attack but the closest they went was through a Buhagiar effort that never troubled the Pembroke keeper.

Late in the game Gauci was a whisker away from adding another goal to his team's tally but his shot was stopped by the Sirens woodwork.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.

Balzan Youths 1
Gzira United 1
(aet - Gzira win 4-3 on penalties)

A goal by Gzira substitute Carlo Leonardi four minutes into stoppage time forced extra time with the match finally being decided after a penalty shoot-out. The verdict went in favour of the Maroons.

Alistair Camilleri was first to go near to scoring but his grounder was saved by Ranier Farrugia, the Gzira keeper.

Balzan had Ismael Zammit and Beppe Pace leading their charge as play became quite rough in the closing stages of the first half.

Gzira were reduced to ten players in the 40th minute when Clayton Caruana was sent off for a second yellow card.

Gzira had Nico Corito and Andre Buttigieg hitting just wide from close range. But it was Balzan who took the lead when Simon Mizzi hit home past a hesitant Gzira rearguard.

The Maroons' late rally produced a free-kick by Neil Gatt Coleiro which went inches wide of the far post and an attempt by Chris Schembri, stopped by Bonello.

With Balzan looking home and dry, Leonardi forced extra time for Gzira when he scored deep into added time. Balzan could have made sure of their semi-final slot in extra time but failed to take their chances.

For this Balzan were made to pay dearly as they were found wanting from the spot with Gzira scoring one penalty more in the shoot-out to move to the next round.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Zebbug Rangers 2
Mellieha 1

Two second-half goals scored by Justin Felice saw Billy Mock's Zebbug Rangers beating Mellieha and making further progress in the KO competition.

Mellieha gained the initiative during the first half with Ibrahim Tarik going close after only three minutes.

On 16 minutes Mellieha's goalkeeper David Vella made a fine save off an Eric Sciberras free-kick.

At the other end Mellieha created two other goalscoring opportunities through Reuben Vella and Tarik.

Zebbug took the lead in the 58th minute when Felice pounced on a loose ball to shoot past Vella.

They lost Keith Farrugia in the 85th minute as he was sent off for retaliation. But, Felice was on hand to double the Rangers' lead.

Mellieha reduced the arrears late on when Rangers keeper Philip Attard committed an own goal.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Gharghur 1
Qormi 2

Holders Qormi advanced to the semi-finals after ousting Gharghur thanks to goals scored from Andrew Scerri, one in each half.

Qormi made a strong start but found Gharghur keeper Aquilina in their way. But, in the 34th minute Aquilina was beaten by a Scerri header following a cross by Formosa.

Just before half-time, Gharghur went close when Ryan Debattista's header was cleared off the line by Edward Azzopardi.

Gharghur were back on level terms six minutes after the restart when Robert Southward hit home after he was put through by Karl Vella Petroni.

Nineteen minutes from time Qormi were awarded a penalty for a foul on Formosa. Aquilina parried Scerri's shot from the spot but from the rebound the Qormi player made no mistake.

Referee: Roberto Buontempo.