U*Bet FA Trophy highlights

Qormi's nailbiting win over Hibernians on Monday night made for a dramatic ending to this season's U*Bet FA Trophy quarter-finals. None of the previous three last eight matches had stretched into extra-time as Valletta, Ħamrun Spartans and Tarxien Rainbows booked their place in the semi-finals with victories in the regular 90 minutes.

Ħamrun Spartans issued an ominous warning to the other Trophy hopefuls on Saturday with a 5-2 demolition of holders Sliema Wanderers.

Early goals by Marcelo Pereira and Gaetan Spiteri gave Ħamrun a headstart but Sliema's hopes of clawing their way back into contention rose when Brazilian Pedrinho narrowed the deficit on 18 minutes.

Defender Roderick Fenech restored Ħamrun's two-goal cushion close to the half-hour mark and, eight minutes from half-time, the two teams were reduced to ten men. Pedrinho was given his marching orders for a poor tackle on Zammit who was also dismissed for retaliation.

Nigerian Obinna Obiefule sealed Ħamrun's progress to the semi-finals with a quick brace, the second from a penalty, before Ivan Woods scored a consolation goal for the low-key Blues.

Saturday's second semi-final was a clash of heavyweights as Premier League title rivals Birkirkara and Valletta faced each other for the second time in six days.

Birkirkara edged Valletta in the league showdown but the latter gained a measure of revenge by knocking their rivals out of the FA Trophy.

The Citizens stormed ahead after five minutes when Doding Priso slipped a through-pass to Jamie Pace who stroked the ball past Jorge Mora. Pace was in an offside position when he collected Priso's pass but the assistant referee's flag stayed down.

Michael Mifsud doubled Valletta's lead with a headed goal on 22 minutes but the Whites suffered a setback when captain Gilbert Agius was red-carded after contracting two quick bookings on 65 minutes.

Birkirkara's mounting pressure produced a goal through Michael Galea eight minutes from the end but Irish striker Declan O'Brien settled Valletta's nerves when he scored his side's third goal in stoppage time.

In Monday's first quarter-final, Tarxien Rainbows were made to fight harder than expected to brush off the dynamic challenge of Division One side Balzan Youths. The Rainbows won 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Brazilian forwards Ribeiro and Denni.

Qormi took a 61st-minute lead courtesy of Camilo's penalty in their quarter-final against Hibs whose evening had started on a negative note as Andrew Cohen squandered a fourth-minute penalty.

The Paolites equalised 16 minutes from time through Jonathan Pearson but their semi-final hopes were dashed when Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia saved Tristan Caruana's effort in the penalty shoot-out and Cohen hit the post after Ramon had put Jesmond Zerafa's team 4-3 ahead.

The FA Trophy semi-finals are scheduled to be played in the week after Malta's friendly match against Germany on May 13.