SK host Floriana, Tarxien meet holders Sliema in cup ties

SK Victoria Wanderers face Floriana FC at the Gozo Stadium while holders Sliema Wanderers take on Tarxien Rainbows in the semi-finals of this season’s FA Trophy. Both semi-finals will be played this Saturday, May 13, at 17.00, with one of the last-four ties being staged on the sister island for the first time ever as the first ball to be extracted from the bowl during the draw, held earlier on Monday, contained the name of SK Victoria Wanderers.  Floriana were the next club to emerge from the draw, thus pairing them with SK Victoria Wanderers, while Tarxien Rainbows were pitted against Sliema Wanderers with their clash being played at the National Stadium.A heightened sense of anticipation characterised the draw at a packed conference room at the National Stadium as delegations from the four clubs involved in the semi-finals were in attendance.SK Victoria Wanderers have made history after becoming the first Gozitan club to reach the FA Trophy semi-finals after beating Pembroke Athleta 2-0 in the quarter-finals.Floriana, who have won the Knock-Out competition 19 times, beat Ħamrun Spartans 2-0.Sliema Wanderers, who head the all-time FA Trophy winners’ list with 21 triumphs, edged past Senglea Athletic 3-2 on penalties while Tarxien Rainbows beat Balzan, last year’s beaten finalists, 2-1 after extra-time.The winners of this season’s FA Trophy will be presented with a brand new cup, designed and manufactured by renowned London-based firm Thomas Lyte, as the former trophy is being retired.The final of the FA Trophy will take place on May 20 at the National Stadium.