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Valletta to face Balzan in Saturday’s FA Trophy final

Published: 13-05-2019 13:15
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Valletta will take on Balzan in this season’s FA Trophy final on Saturday at the National Stadium (kick-off 17.00) in what promises to be another gripping encounter that will bring the curtains down on the 2018-19 season.  In the semi-finals played last weekend, Balzan beat Birkirkara 3-2 in a hard-fought encounter while two late goals sent Valletta into the final after a 2-0 win over Gżira United. Saturday’s first semi-final was a thrilling five-goal affair. Balzan took an early lead with Serbian forward Nenad Sljivic finding the net after eight minutes but Birkirkara levelled just after the half-hour mark. It was a great goal by Malta captain Michael Mifsud who drifted past two defenders before hitting a rising shot that had the better of Sean Mintoff in the Balzan goal. Five minutes from half-time, Mifsud was at it again as he put Birkirkara in front, tapping home a low cross-shot from Brazilian Jorge Da Silva. Nine minutes into the second half, Balzan equalised thanks to Uros Ljubomirac who evaded the attentions of the Birkirkara defenders to hit home from Cadu’s free-kick. Balzan scored the winner nine minutes from the end thanks to Alfred Effiong who finished off a strong run with a fine lob to beat goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski as the Reds sealed their place in Saturday’s final where they will meet Valletta. LATE GOALS The champions scored twice in the final 15 minutes to see off the challenge of Gżira United in the second semi-final on Sunday. Valletta had enjoyed the better of exchanges but had to wait until the 78th minute to break the deadlock. It came from a corner action with Gżira partially clearing the danger as the ball fell to Rowen Muscat who fired a low shot which rolled into the net despite goalkeeper Justin Haber’s attempt to prevent the ball from crossing the goal-line. A goal down, Gżira rallied in the dying minutes. They created a glorious chance two minutes from time as substitute Justin Mengolo burst into the box but his angled shot brought a great save from Valletta keeper Henry Bonello. In stoppage time, substitute Bogdan Gavrila secured Valletta’s passage to the final, scoring from close range after the champions had broken on the counter.