Kalkara Flames upset favourites in KO
Third Division side Kalkara Flames produced one of the biggest surprises of the season as they shocked First Division leaders Swieqi Braves as they saw them off 2‐1 in the NEXT Auto Sales MAFA KO to oust them from this competition.
The Flames were disciplined throughout the match with Swieqi Braves who failed to keep up with their opponents despite of the difference in the category.
Kalkara Flames surged ahead on 24 minutes through Neil Sammut who took advantage of a rebound to slot the ball home.
Swieqi Braves restored parity seconds before the interval with a well‐taken freekick by Luigi Perreira Koga.
In the second half, Kalkara con‐ tinued to maintain their re‐ silience and in a quick counter attack they scored what proved to be the winning goal. Goal‐ keeper Yandrick Cassar found the advancing Luke Cachia who took advantage of a defensive mistake to head the ball and beat Erick Vidal.
At the end of the contest,
Kalkara had the chance to cele‐ brate this prestigious win. Referee: Alex Grech.
Even second division side At‐ tard Edex Kings managed to eliminate a top tier team as they won Balluta Barracudas 5‐2 after the penalty shoot‐out.
Attard started the match in a bright way as they surged ahead on 31 minutes through Audu Clement Oshake.
Balluta Barracudas replied swiftly in the second half as they levelled the score through An‐ thony Bartolo.
As the match finished 1‐1 after the regular time, the penalty shoot‐out had to decide the fate of the teams. Here Attard Edex Kings were more clinical as they scored four goals with the Cudas netting only one goal.
Now the Attard side meet San Ġwann Pro Evolution Academy in the next round.
Referee: Lorry Sammut.
Ta' Ġiorni Wanderers had the biggest win of the day as they saw off Ħamrun Amateurs 4‐0. The Wanderers scored two goals in each half to ensure of the most important victory and most of all book a place in the quarter‐fi‐ nals.
Samuel Barthet, Luke Gatt, Ed‐ ward Micallef Stafrace and Liam Caruana Montalto were Ta' Ġiorni's scorers.
Referee: Peter Abela.
Buġibba Club de SWAT edged Gudja Wanderers 2‐1 in a very close match played at the Qormi Ground.
After a goalless draw, Kirandas Kholatiparambil put Buġibba Club de SWAT ahead with Shibin Maliyekkal doubling the score for his team.
Dylan Zammit pulled one back for Gudja but it was too late in the day to save the match. Referee: Matthias Buttigieg. Senglea Gunners had to go to the penalty shoot‐out to elimi‐ nate a mighty Mqabba Albions side. The score was still goalless throughout the whole 70 min‐ utes with both sides having their respective rearguards in fine form.
In the penalty shoot‐out, the Cottonera side won 4‐2 as they now play against Birkirkara St Joseph next week.
Referee: Reno Galea.