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Old Firm duo Sliema, Floriana set up FA Trophy showdown

Published: 13-05-2017 18:45
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Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers and Floriana will contest the final of this season’s FA Trophy on Saturday, May 20, after overcoming Tarxien Rainbows and SK Victoria Wanderers respectively in the semi-finals. Sliema Wanderers boosted their hopes of defending the KO honour after dismissing the challenge of fellow BOV Premier League side Tarxien Rainbows 3-0 at the National Stadium. Goals from Brazilian playmaker Denni and Leonardo Incorvaia, both with close-range headers from set-piece situations, inside the opening 38 minutes put Sliema Wanderers in the driving seat, leaving the slow-starting Tarxien with a mountain to climb. Midfielder Mark Scerri sealed Sliema’s win 18 minutes into the second half, flicking a low shot past Tarxien goalkeeper Andrea Cassar after John Buttigieg’s team had broken on the counter. At the Gozo Stadium, Floriana ended SK Victoria Wanderers’ fairytale cup run after beating them 3-1. Steve Pisani fired the Greens ahead midway into the first half but Fernando Giarrizzo equalised for the Gozitans in first-half stoppage time. Eight minutes into the second half, Floriana regained the lead thanks to Maurizio Vella before Steve Pisani ssecured their passage to the final when converting a penalty 19 minutes from the end. SK’s hopes of staging a comeback all but disappeared when, with 16 minutes remaining, Giarrizzo was expelled.