GŻIRA UNITED           4   

Garba 13, 61, 76;

Cohen 59 pen.

MELITA           2         

Cachia 29, Spiteri 42

Gżira United found it more difficult than expected to beat Division Two side Melita 4-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Gżira held the initiative right from the start, taking the lead on 13 minutes when Myles Beerman tested Melita goalkeeper Jozef Spiteri with a shot from the left. His attempt was partially saved by the Melita custodian, Edison Zarate served Haruna Garba who hit low past Spiteri.

Against the run of play, Melita levelled matters on the 29th minute. Jean Pierre Attard’s freekick from the left hit the foot of the upright and off the rebound, Michael Cachia placed the ball at the back of the net.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Gżira received another cold shower as Melita took the lead. Andrew Spiteri received a cross by Isaac Zammit and with a powerful drive from the right beat Anthony Curmi.

It was Cohen who managed to restore equilibrium on the 59th minute. Referee Alex Johnson ordered a penalty after Sofian Domoraud was brought down inside the area by Julian Abela and the former Hibernians midfielder made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Two minutes later, Gżira regained the lead. Garba received a through pass and placed the ball in the top left corner as he anticipated goalkeeper Jozef Spiteri.

Garba completed his hat-trick on 76 minutes, hitting low past the Melita custodian following a corner by Beerman from the right.