Kalkara edge Żejtun in seven-goal thriller as National Cup quarter-finalists emerge

mqabba-vs-qormi-190925-malta-fa-1024x768 Kalkara edge Żejtun in seven-goal thriller as National Cup quarter-finalists emerge

Screenshot-2026-04-04-204228-1024x172 Kalkara edge Żejtun in seven-goal thriller as National Cup quarter-finalists emerge

The BOV National Cup produced a series of dramatic encounters during the second round, with Kalkara United edging Żejtun Corinthians in a seven-goal thriller, Mqabba overcoming Rabat Ajax and Luqa St Andrew’s recording an emphatic victory over Mdina Knights.

Senglea Athletic, Lija Athletic, Qrendi, Marsa and Qormi also secured their passage to the quarter-finals of the competition.

The weekend’s action featured several comebacks, late winners and dismissals, while National League II leaders Rabat Ajax suffered their first defeat of the season.

Kalkara United prevail in seven-goal thriller

Kalkara United emerged victorious from the most entertaining encounter of the round, defeating Żejtun Corinthians 4-3 at the Luxol Stadium in a match that saw both teams finish with ten players.

Miguel Perez Jimenez gave Kalkara the lead after just five minutes with a powerful long-range effort, but Jamie Delia equalised two minutes later with a fine header.

David Akindele restored Kalkara’s advantage in the tenth minute before Samuel Saldanha headed Żejtun level again.

Kalkara suffered a setback when Akindele was dismissed for elbowing an opponent, although Żejtun’s numerical advantage disappeared shortly after half-time when Salem Adeyemi received a second yellow card following an off-the-ball incident.

Misael Tabone restored Kalkara’s lead in the 66th minute with a spectacular long-range lob.

Saldanha then missed a penalty, striking the upright, before substitute Isaac Buhagiar equalised for Żejtun in the 77th minute.

However, Perez Jimenez had the final say, scoring his second goal three minutes from time to secure a dramatic victory for Bruno Menezes’s side.

Mqabba end Rabat Ajax’s unbeaten run

Mqabba registered an important 3-2 victory over Rabat Ajax at the Sirens Stadium, inflicting the National League II leaders’ first defeat of the season.

Kurt Borg gave Mqabba a dream start, opening the scoring after six minutes with a diagonal effort following an impressive individual move.

Four minutes later, Borg doubled his side’s advantage with a close-range finish following a corner.

Rabat gradually took control and created several opportunities before mounting a second-half comeback.

Five minutes after the restart, the Magpies reduced the deficit from the penalty spot following a handball incident.

Shayon Attard then restored parity in the 63rd minute, tapping home a cross from Julian Suzuki, who had created the opportunity down the left flank.

However, Mqabba regained the lead nine minutes from time when Nigerian youngster Jothan Jephthah headed home following a goalmouth scramble from a corner.

The late winner ensured George Magri’s team advanced to the next round.

Senglea Athletic come from behind against Mellieħa

Senglea Athletic secured a 2-1 victory over Mellieħa in another closely contested encounter at the Sirens Stadium.

The two teams had met in National League I just a week earlier, but this time a place in the National Cup quarter-finals was at stake.

Mellieħa took the lead after 15 minutes when Alexander Akl collected a pass from Dario Magro before finishing accurately past the goalkeeper.

Their advantage lasted only four minutes, however, as Gordon Saliba equalised with a curling delivery from the left that found its way into the net through a crowded penalty area.

Senglea completed the comeback before the half-hour mark when Adrian Caruana capitalised on a goalmouth scramble.

The second half produced fewer opportunities, although Senglea substitute Jack Zammit struck the upright with a header in the 81st minute.

The match was overshadowed by a head injury sustained by Mellieħa captain Iven Zammit, who required treatment before being stretchered off and taken away by ambulance.

Nine minutes of added time were played, but Senglea successfully defended their advantage to progress.

Lija Athletic overcome San Ġwann

Lija Athletic booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over San Ġwann at the Luxol Stadium.

All four goals arrived during an entertaining first half.

San Ġwann made an excellent start when Nigerian forward James Falana opened the scoring after five minutes with a superb strike.

However, Gabriel Villas Boas equalised just three minutes later before Thomas Grech put Lija ahead with a powerful low effort shortly before the half-hour mark.

Ross McParland extended Lija’s advantage three minutes before the interval, scoring from close range.

San Ġwann attempted to recover after the break, with Kyle Bartolo heading narrowly wide before Stephen Ekwu-Ojo struck the crossbar with a close-range header in the 67th minute.

Nevertheless, Lija protected their two-goal advantage to secure qualification.

Qrendi eliminate Nadur Youngsters

Qrendi ended Gozitan participation in this season’s competition after defeating Nadur Youngsters 3-1 at the Sirens Stadium.

Nadur made a promising start and took the lead in the 18th minute when Matthias Mercieca finished accurately from the edge of the penalty area.

Qrendi equalised in the 32nd minute when Dylan Micallef created an opportunity for Miguel Zammit, who beat goalkeeper Zak Vella with a low effort into the far corner.

The Gozitans enjoyed a strong spell after the restart, although Vella was also called upon to produce two excellent saves from Brandon Bray.

Sylvan Xuereb then missed a promising opportunity to restore Nadur’s lead.

Qrendi eventually moved ahead in the 71st minute when Christian Saint Ebisindor beat the offside trap before setting up Bray for a simple finish into an empty net.

Seven minutes later, substitute Jean Paul Dimech added a third goal from close range to confirm Qrendi’s passage into the last eight.

Ten-man Marsa edge Dingli Swallows

Marsa recorded their first competitive victory of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 success over Dingli Swallows at the Sirens Stadium.

The team coached by Keith Darmanin took the lead after 18 minutes when Davi Versiani converted a penalty awarded following a foul by Max Borg-Bartolo.

Dingli equalised nine minutes later through Jade Clarke, who completed an excellent attacking move.

Clarke had another opportunity to put Dingli ahead before half-time but could only find the side-netting.

Marsa regained the advantage shortly before the hour when substitute Raylon Paisley scored with a well-placed effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The contest became increasingly tense when Miguel Galea was dismissed with ten minutes remaining following a challenge involving Clarke.

Dingli pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but goalkeeper Anson Saliba produced an important stoppage-time save to deny Matteas Caruana.

Marsa held on to secure a welcome victory and a place in the quarter-finals.

Qormi prove too strong for Marsaskala

Qormi progressed with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Marsaskala at the Luxol Stadium.

Nicholas Schembri opened the scoring after 11 minutes, converting a disputed penalty.

Four minutes later, Lesley Cassar-Jackson doubled Qormi’s advantage with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Marsaskala reduced the deficit in the 22nd minute when Chris Bohui converted another controversial penalty decision.

However, Qormi continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges and restored their two-goal cushion eight minutes after the interval when Schembri headed home his second goal.

Substitute Emmanuel Garba completed the scoring in the closing minute with a header past goalkeeper Axel Saliba.

Luqa St Andrew’s cruise past Mdina Knights

Luqa St Andrew’s produced the most emphatic victory of the round, defeating Mdina Knights 5-0 at the Luxol Stadium.

The result ensured Luqa became the only National League II representatives to reach the quarter-finals.

Ghanaian striker Seth Kweku Ziyaba opened the scoring after 22 minutes with a close-range header.

Four minutes later, James Peplow doubled Luqa’s advantage following a well-constructed attacking move.

Luqa continued to dominate after the interval, although Mdina goalkeeper Connor Frendo produced several excellent saves to keep the score respectable.

The Saints also struck the woodwork twice before Andreas Psaila added a third goal in the 78th minute.

Mdina’s resistance finally collapsed during the closing stages, with Carlos Debattista and Jamie Camilleri adding two further goals to complete an impressive five-goal victory.