Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/929711
maltatoday SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 51 Sliema defeat Hamrun in a tight encounter Sliema Wanderers registered a narrow 1-0 win over Hamrun Spartans to make it through to the next round of the FA Trophy Sports SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL FA Trophy Tarxien Rainbows - Lija Athletic ............. 1-2 Kercem A. - Qrendi ................................ 4-3 Balzan - Naxxar Lions ............................ 2-0 Hamrun Spartans - Sliema Wanderers .... 0-1 Mosta - Zejtun C. ................................... 1-2 Today Hibernians - Xewkija T. Pieta Hotspurs - Valletta England - Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion - Chelsea ........0-4 Arsenal - Crystal Palace .......................4-1 Burnley - Manchester United ................. 0-1 Everton - West Bromwich Albion ..........1-1 Leicester City - Watford ........................2-0 Stoke City - Huddersfield Town .............2-0 West Ham United - AFC Bournemouth ..1-1 Manchester City - Newcastle United .....3-1 Today 17:00 Southampton - Tottenham Hotspur Tomorrow 21:00 Swansea City - Liverpool Italy - Serie A Today 12:30 Atalanta - SSC Napoli 15:00 Bologna - Benevento 15:00 Hellas Verona - Crotone 15:00 Lazio - ChievoVerona 15:00 Sampdoria - Fiorentina 15:00 Sassuolo - Torino 15:00 Udinese - SPAL 2013 15:00 Cagliari - AC Milan 20:45 Inter - Roma Tomorrow 20:45 Juventus - Genoa Spain - LaLiga Espanyol - Sevilla .................................. 0-3 Atletico Madrid - Girona ......................... 1-1 Villarreal - Levante ................................ 2-1 Las Palmas - Valencia ............................ Late Today 12:00 Alaves - Leganes 16:15 Real Madrid - Deportivo La Coruna 18:30 Real Sociedad - Celta Vigo 20:45 Real Betis - Barcelona Tomorrow 21:00 Eibar - Malaga Germany - Bundesliga Borussia M. - Augsburg ......................... 2-0 Frieburg - RasenBallsport Leipzig ........... 2-1 Hoffenheim - Bayer Leverkusen ............. 1-4 Mainz 05 - VfB Stuttgart ......................... 3-2 Wolfsburg - Eintracht Frankfurt .............. 1-3 Hamburger SV - FC Cologne ................... 0-2 Today 15:30 Bayern Munich - Werder Bremen 18:00 Schalke 04 - Hannover 96 Football Results & Fixtures Sliema Wanderers .......1 Hamrun Spartans .......0 WARREN ZAMMIT THE second match at the Hi- bernians stadium saw the teams of Ħamrun and Sliema facing off each other for a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy. Both teams won twenty-eight points in the Premier League and thus this encounter was anticipated to be a close one. In addition, the two sides had an extra incentive since the FA Trophy seems more reachable than the Premier League. Sliema had more of the ball during the first half and created a number of chances on goal. On the other hand, Ħamrun re- mained in their defensive half and rarely threatened Glenn Zammit. The Wanderers went close af- ter five minutes. Frank Temile sent a cross towards Nikoale Milinceanu who failed to make contact with the ball from an ideal position. On the half hour mark, Temile received the ball on the left side of the penalty area and fired a shot that failed to hit the target. Five minutes later, Temile sent a shot from distance that went well wide. On the 38th minute, Temile delivered a cross in the direc- tion of Milinceanu whose effort ended up high. Sliema's efforts paid off on the 39th minute as they forged ahead. From a corner, Frenci Qeros sent a cross that was met by Goran Adamovic who fin- ished past Steve Sultana. The Spartans started the sec- ond half on the attack in their attempts to score the equalising goal. In fact, the tempo of the match increased significantly. An argument took place on the 56th minute. Marco Criaco fouled Mark Scerri and the Slie- ma player retaliated. This led a number of players from both sides to get involved. In the end, the referee decided to caution both players. Ħamrun had a good chance on the 61st minute. Alex Nilsson's cross was met by Criaco who headed off target. Three minutes later, Zerafa fired a shot from a free-kick that was parried by Zammit. Sliema hit back on the 75th minute. Frenci Qeros hit a low shot from outside the penalty area that was neutralised by Sultana. A minute later, Ħamrun lost a golden opportunity. Substitute Arthur Maria Machado received the ball inside the penalty area and finished wide from an ex- cellent position. On the 89th minute, Matias Muchardi sent Qeros through on the left side and the latter saw his shot being saved by Sul- tana. Sliema held firm in the re- maining minutes to go through to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy. Ħamrun Spartans starting line- up: Steve Sultana, Marco Cria- co, Daniel Zerafa, Karl Micallef (Lydon Micallef- 70), Guilherme Felipe De Castro, Julian Galea (Arthur Faria Machado – 64), Triston Caruana, Thiago Es- pindola De Paula, Tiago Souza Da Silveira (Davide Succi – 81), Dale Camilleri, Alex Nilsson Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Glenn Zammit, Ste- fano Biancardi, Frank Temile, Frenci Qeros (Edmond Agius – 90), Mark Scerri, John Mintoff, Michele Sansone (Gabriel Aq- uilina – 88), Matias Muchardi, Ashong Ni Nortey, Goran Adam- ovic, Nikoale Milinceanu (Peter Xuereb – 81) Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Dusan Petrovic Fourth Of ficial: Eman Grech Yellow Cards: Nikoale Mil- inceanu (Sliema), Julian Galea (Ħamrun), Stefano Biancardi (Sliema), Mark Scerri (Sliema), Marco Criaco (Ħamrun), Frank Temile (Sliema), Triston Caru- ana (Ħamrun), Glenn Zammit (Sliema) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG