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maltatoday SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 Sports 52 FOOTBALL Zejtun Corinthians surprise Mosta In a match full of drama, Zejtun caused a surprising result as they secured a 2-1 win over Mosta to make it through to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy Mosta ..................... 1 Zejtun C. ................. 2 WARREN ZAMMIT MOSTA started the match as favourites as they were facing a side currently placed 7th in the First Division. However, the FA Trophy never fails to provide sur- prising results and thus Johann Scicluna's side had to be on their guard in order to avoid a shock- ing result. The first chance of the match was created by Mosta after ten minutes . Jan Tanti went past a defender and hit a shot from outside the penalty area that was saved by Dunstan Zarb. Żejtun replied on the 16th min- ute. Neil Tabone fired a low shot from a free-kick that went wide. Two minutes later, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira of Mosta won the ball on the right side of the penalty area and sent a shot that was blocked by Żejtun's goal- keeper. Mosta nearly went ahead on the 28th minute. Dexter Xuereb hit a powerful drive from distance that stamped off the post. On the other end, Johan Al- berto Castano sent a shot from inside the penalty area that was parried by Andreas Vella. On the 35th minute, Ferreria went on a good run down the right f lank and smashed a shot that sailed slightly off target. Żejtun went ahead on the 38th minute. Adam Smeir received the ball inside the penalty area and headed past Vella. Mosta started the second half looking to score the equalis- ing goal; however, they were constantly being challenged by Żejtun's solid defence. On the 58th minute, Magro tried his luck from a distance, but his shot ended up well wide. Żejtun hit back on the 68th minute. Neil Tabone served Ryan Dalli inside the penalty area and the latter finished high. Three minutes later, Mosta threatened again. Thomas Ve- ronese delivered a cross in the direction of Davide Mansi whose header was neutralised by Zarb. Mosta kept on insisting and went were denied by Zarb again on the 73rd minute. Alex Wen- del Dos Santos fired a shot from a free-kick that was saved by Żejtun's shot stopper. Żejtun went close to score their second goal on the 78th minute. Vella's through ball was def lected by a Mosta defender and rolled in the path of Castano. The Żejtun forward went through on goal, but found Vella in his way. Things went from bad to worse for Mosta on the 85th minute when Zac Brincat was sent off by Ishmael Barbara after hitting Neil Tabone. The drama continued on the 89th minute as Mosta scored the equalising goal. A long ball was delivered inside Żejtun's penalty area and a defender headed the ball in the direction of Ferreira who finished past Zarb. Follow- ing the goal, Mosta's assistant coach, Jason Camenzuli, was sent off the bench. When everyone thought that the match was going inside the extra thirty minutes, Żejtun scored the winning goal. Castano received the ball inside the pen- alty area and hit a low shot that went inside the net to the joy of his supporters. Mosta starting line-up: Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Fer- reira, Jan Tanti, Alex Wendel Dos Santos, Kurt Magro, Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farrugia, Davide Efanyi Nworah (Neil Frendo – 70), Dexter Xuereb (Zac Brincat – 53), Ivan Maric, Thomas Ve- ronese Żejtun Corinthians starting line-up: Dunstan Zarb, Diego Al- banese, Andrea Scozzese, Clayton Giordimaina, Yessous Camilleri, Neil Tabone, Omar Elhussieny, Brooke Farrugia (Ryan Dalli – 53), Junky Sato, Johan Alberto Castano, Adam Smeir (Elland Vella- 63) Referee: Ishmael Barbara Assistant Referees: Duncan Sul- tana, Peter Abela Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri Yellow Cards: Kurt Magro (Mos- ta), John Albert Castano (Żejtun), Tyrone Farrugia (Mosta), Diego Albanese (Żejtun), Elland Vella (Żejtun) Red Cards: Zac Brincat (Mosta) Lija, Balzan and Qrendi make it to the quarter-finals Lija, Balzan and Qrendi made it to the next round of the FA Trophy after registering wins over Tarxien, Naxxar and Kercem respectively Lija Athletic 2 – Tarxien Rainbows 1 Ricardo Silva Faria converted a pen- alty to send Tarxien ahead on the 27th minute. Lija hit back and managed to score two goals that secured their place in the next round. Ousmane Sidibe scored the equalising goal on the 52nd minute. Eight minutes later, Erjon Beu scored the winning goal for Lija. Balzan 2 – Naxxar Lions 0 Alex da Paixao Alves scored two late goals that sent Balzan through to the quarter-finals. Qrendi 4 – Kercem Ajax 3 Ognjen Rolovic sent the Gozitan side ahead on the 29th minute. The same player increased Qrendi 's advantage on the 51st minute. Julio Cesar Souza de Martins pulled one back for Kerċem. The home side scored the equalising goal three minutes later through a pen- alty converted by Dhonatan Santos da Hora. Julio Cesar Souza regained Qren- di 's lead on the 74th minute. However, Elen Heska equalised again for Kerċem and the game went into ex- tra time. Substitute Aaron Agius scored the winning goal for Qrendi on the 110th minute. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG