Valletta booked their place in the FA Trophy semi-finals after defeating Ħamrun Spartans 3–1 following extra-time in a dramatic encounter.
Former Ħamrun forward Steijn Meijer proved decisive against his former club, striking the crucial goal in extra-time after being released by the Spartans during the January transfer window. His strike sent Valletta through to the semi-finals, where they will face Birkirkara.
Valletta were rewarded for a disciplined and resilient performance, defending resolutely throughout the match while making the most of their key opportunities. Ħamrun, meanwhile, dominated possession and created several chances but were once again punished for failing to convert their opportunities.
Valletta made a bright start and threatened after just two minutes when Jake Azzopardi unleashed a powerful drive that flew narrowly over the bar.
Ħamrun responded on 16 minutes during a quick attacking move. Joseph Mbong fed Blessing Ekele, who in turn set up Shaisen Attard, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
The Spartans nearly gifted Valletta the opener on 21 minutes when a poor back pass by Compri was intercepted by Yannick Yankam. However, goalkeeper Henry Bonello rushed off his line to block the striker’s attempt. The rebound fell to Yuri Messias, whose powerful shot was dramatically cleared off the line by Emerson Marcelina.
Ħamrun thought they had broken the deadlock four minutes later. A shot by Matthew Guillaumier was parried by Adilson Maringa, with Mbong collecting the loose ball before setting up Blessing Ekele to score. However, referee Slobodan Petrovic ruled the goal out after judging that Mbong had fouled Emmanuel Mbende in the build-up.
The Spartans continued to enjoy more of the possession but struggled to seriously test Maringa. Three minutes before half-time they appealed for a penalty when Ekele went down inside the area following a challenge by Mbende. After consulting Football Video Support, the referee upheld his original decision and play continued.
Ħamrun came close early in the second half when Ognjen Bjelicic reacted quickest to a rebound, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.
Despite the pressure from the Spartans, Valletta took the lead on the hour mark. Diogo Tavares combined well with Andrea Zammit before lifting a cross into the area where Yannick Yankam rose to head the ball past Bonello.
Ħamrun coach Giacomo Modica reacted immediately with a triple substitution, introducing Jonny, Michele Carboni and Mouad El Fanis for Ekele, Attard and Bulevardi. The change paid instant dividends as, moments after coming on, Jonny won possession and set up El Fanis, who fired a low shot past Maringa to level the score.
The Spartans almost snatched victory late in the game when Joseph Mbong set up Michele Carboni in the 87th minute, but his attempt went over the bar, sending the tie into extra-time.
Ħamrun continued to push forward and created another excellent chance in the seventh minute of extra-time when Carboni picked out Mbong inside the area, but the forward fired over.
The miss proved costly. With five minutes remaining, Valletta found the decisive moment. Jake Azzopardi chipped the ball into the area where Diogo Tavares squared for Steijn Meijer, who finished clinically to restore Valletta’s lead.
Ħamrun threw everything forward in search of another equaliser. In stoppage time Jonny fell under a challenge from Azzopardi inside the area, but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty.
Valletta immediately launched a swift counterattack and Brandon Paiber sealed the victory by firing past Bonello to make it 3–1, confirming Valletta’s place in the semi-finals after a dramatic contest.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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