Sections A and B of the BNF U15 and U17 Leagues continued over the weekend, presenting a number of goal-filled spectacles and top-of-the-table encounters.
U15 League A – Matchday 5
Hibernians FC finished Matchday 5 in top spot in League A, continuing their perfect start to the season with a resounding 4-0 win away to Melita FC.
All four of Hibs’ goals came in the first-half, with them being superior to Melita right from the very start. It took Hibernians just 16 minutes to open the scoring thanks to captain Jayden Roe, who put his side ahead. This was then followed by a four-minute flurry of goals between the 26th and 29th minutes. First, Kaden Camilleri made it 2-0, before Kaiden Grixti and Roe also got goals, taking the scoreline up to 4-0 to Hibs before half-time.
With the game practically dead and buried, Hibs made a number of changes at the break, and while Melita pushed on in search of a consolation goal, the score remained unchanged. Therefore, Hibs have now won all five of their opening games, while also having a sensational +18 goal difference.
Hibs’ closest competitors, Valletta FC, also got three points over the weekend, playing out an entertaining, yet crucial 5-3 win over Pieta’ Hotspurs FC.
Similar to the Hibernians game, Pieta’ Hotspurs versus Valletta had an action-packed first-half. In the opening five minutes, Giorgio Cristauro put Pieta’ in front, before Valletta equalised 10 minutes later thanks to Lee Bonanno. However, Gianni Camenzuli and Cristauro were on target again for Pieta’s in the 32nd and 36th minutes respectively to restore their side’s lead. Kayden Hili halved the advantage in the 40th minute to make it 3-2 before half-time.
It was in the second-half that Valletta really showed their quality going forward, as they started to push on more in search of the all-important equaliser. They did not have to wait too long either, as Miguel Camilleri made it 3-3 in the 57th minute. Following the goal, Valletta took it upon themselves to continue to mount attacks on the Pieta’ defence, and in the 60th minute the Citizens were awarded a penalty, which Denzil Micallef calmly tucked it away to give Valletta the lead for the first time in the match. While Pieta’ were now looking for a leveller, Valleta still pushed on and made it 5-3 thanks to Ayrem Aquilina.
Valletta remain second in the table, just two points behind Hibernians, and four points above the likes of St Andrews FC, Birkirkara FC, Pieta’ and San Ġwann FC, who all have nine points.
U15 League B – Matchday 5
Balzan FC got a vital win against Naxxar Lions to go top of League B to continue what has been a very competitive start to the division, with three teams now sitting on 12 points.
There were immediate signs that the game between Naxxar and Balzan was going to be very tight, with both sides having nine points after the first four games of the season. The two teams were both dangerous on the attack, yet in the first-half the game was primarily contested in midfield. At the break, it remained goalless.
However, the deadlock was immediately broken after the break through Kaydil Mangion, who put Naxxar in front on the 48th minute. However, Naxxar’s lead did not last very long, as Luca Sceberras was on target to equalise for Balzan just 11 minutes later. The match-winning moment came in the 75th minute, as Kairon Micallef scored the crucial goal that earnt Balzan a 2-1 win.
Gozo FC managed to keep up with Balzan by claiming all three points against Kirkop United, despite going behind very early on.
The game started with Kirkop getting an early goal thanks to Isaac Grech, who made it 1-0 to the Reds after just seven minutes. However, while Gozo were still stunned by Kirkop’s quickfire start, they still managed to get themselves level right before the break thanks to Matthias Buttigieg.
At the interval, Gozo Coach Patrick Vassallo made a number of changes, and these switches worked immediately. Buttigieg put Gozo in front with his second of the game in the 52nd minute. After that, Kayden Bajada, who had come on in the 46th minute, scored twice, first in the 63rd minute, and then in the 73rd minute. The game finished 4-1 to Gozo, drawing them level on points with Balzan and Floriana FC.
Floriana also came away with three points over the weekend, getting a 3-1 win over Attard FC.
Luke Mifsud put the Greens ahead after 26 minutes, before Andreas Mangion quickly doubled their lead four minutes later to allow Floriana to head into the break with a comfortable advantage.
After half-time, the game was much tighter, yet Floriana still found the net thanks to Massimo Magri. However, Attard managed to get one back and get themselves on the scoresheet, as midway through the second-half, they were awarded a penalty and Lee Attard Falzon made no mistake from the spot.
U17 League A – Matchday 6
In League A of the U17 category, Melita FC and St Andrews FC played out a very tight encounter that could only be separated by a single goal.
That goal came in the 42nd minute, and it went in favour of St Andrews, with Benjamin Borg getting his side a crucial set of three points. The St Andrews defence held firm, denying a Melita attack that has been in fine form at the start of the season.
St Andrews now have 15 points from six games, and with their +10 goal difference, they are top of League A.
However, they are also joined by Mosta FC, after the Blues got a tough, yet crucial 2-1 win over struggling Hibernians FC.
Hibernians FC 1-2 Mosta FC at Dingli Ground – Photo by Timmy Cutugno
Mosta started the match as favourites, with Hibernians languishing at the bottom of the league. The Blues’ superiority showed in the opening stages, with Khean Attard putting them ahead just four minutes into the game. The scoreline was then doubled thanks to Ryan Debono only 20 minutes later. After 24 minutes, Mosta were in complete control.
However, they were made to work in the second-half, as Hibs pressed in search of a way back into the game. It eventually came in the 70th minute, when Matthew Caruana scored to halve the deficit. Despite Hibernians’ efforts, Mosta held on and claimed all three points.
The match of the weekend took place at the Sirens Stadium, as Valletta FC were on the winning end of a thrilling game against Birkirkara FC that finished 4-3.
Kerston Fenech put the Stripes in front after just eight minutes, yet Valletta quickly responded and got an equaliser only two minutes later through Kayden Farrugia. However, Birkirkara went ahead again in the 27th minute through Matteas Caruana. Yet once again, Farrugia got Valletta level a few minutes later.
With the score 2-2 at half-time, it was still all to play for. Valletta asserted themselves in the second-half, and they went ahead for the first time in the game in the 58th minute through Mohammed Alahmar. Their lead was eventually doubled through Liam Buhagiar in the 75th minute. Birkirkara did manage to get a goal very late in stoppage time through Julian Scicluna, yet it came too late for them to mount a comeback.
U17 League B – Matchday 6
At Dingli Ground, Kirkop United got a valuable 3-0 win over Naxxar Lions, taking them up to sixth place in the table.
Kirkop who have struggled for consistency at the start of the season, got off to a brilliant start when Gianluca Gatt put them ahead 19 minutes into the match. The forward was quick to get his second of the match 20 minutes later, making it 2-0 to Kirkop.
Kirkop United 3-0 Naxxar Lions at Dingli Ground – Photo by Timmy Cutugno
While Naxxar were on the hunt for a goal to get them back into the game, just like they have done over their previous games, the Lions found it difficult to find the net. In their six games this season, including against Kirkop, Naxxar have only scored two goals. Kirkop continued to push on in the second-half, and they eventually got their third of the game thanks to Craig Noe Camilleri, who had come on as a substitute earlier on.
Over at the top of the table, San Ġwann FC and Sliema Wanderers FC played out a stalemate, as the Wanderers dropped points for the first time this season.
In a game characterized by tough challenges and tightly-contested midfield battles, there were not many chances to separate the two sides. Sliema were presented with a big opportunity in the 61st minute, when they were awarded a penalty. Captain Maksim Radojevic stepped up, yet he failed to capitalize and the score remained 0-0.
