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tempts on goal. Before the half hour mark, Naumovski saved into a corner a low shot from the right by Malano after an intelligent pass by Enmy Pena Beltre.

Six minutes later, the Birkirkara shot stopper saved an effort by Kyrian Nwoko and a few seconds later Raed Saleh hit the side netting.

Valletta broke the deadlock four minutes before the end of the first half. Kyrian Nwoko managed to put the Valletta supporters in a festive mode as he surprised Kristijan Naumovski with a header that hit the ground before finishing into the net.

Doncic’s almost doubled in the last action of the half. Joseph Zerafa managed to create a personal action of his own and beat Naumovski with a grounded shot but was denied by the upright.

The beginning of the second half reduced its rhythm despite that Valletta still stayed in control. Matteo Piciollo was having another good day on the pitch with several personal runs that caused trouble to Birkirkara. After the hour mark, the Italian had an action of his own but his low diagonal shot finished off target.

Birkirkara produced their first danger of the game a minute later. Striker Waldemar Acosta tested Henry Bonello with a shot from a central position, but the Valletta goalkeeper parried the shot. The Stripes gained more momentum as time passed by, while Valletta dropped more in defence. Fifteen minutes from the end, Cain Attard crossed from the right to Ognjen Rolovic, but his header finished over the bar.

Valletta look to have closed the game four minutes later. Santiago Malano entered the penalty are from the left, made space for his own action by dribbling past two defenders, and slotted past Naumovski on the first post.

Birkirkara entered back in the game on the 87th minute. A low free-kick by substitute Ognjen Rolovic was deflected by the Valletta wall and beat Bonello. This goal changed the game, as Birkirkara pushed their players in attack and consequently put Valletta in defence.

In the stoppage time, Birkirkara had another free-kick from a dangerous position. Rolovic tried again but this time his shot finished centimetres over the bar.

After the final whistle, celebrations for Valletta started. But there was a twist as after a handful of Valletta supporters jumped in the pitch, a gate was left open and a majority of the supporters finished in the pitch. After a good number of minutes, the Valletta supporters stayed on the pitch, while captain Ryan Camilleri raised the FA Trophy.

Valletta’s Matteo Picciollo and Birkirkara’s Ryan Scicluna