BOV National Challenge League MD1 review
Sirens…. 0
Valletta….3
Thane Micallef’s Valletta began their new Challenge League journey on a high, securing a 3-0 victory over Sirens in the first match at Centenary Stadium last Saturday night. The Lilywhites earned this win thoroughly and even had the luxury of keeping some key players on the bench for the entire match.
The Citizens opened the scoring just nine minutes in, with Andrei Ciolacu finishing off a cross from American winger Enoch Mashagalusa, another new addition to the team. At the 23-minute mark, James Scicluna, formerly of Zabbar, had a chance to double Valletta’s lead, but goalkeeper Andrea Cassar made a crucial save. Scicluna had another opportunity close to the end of the first half, but his shot missed the target from a promising position.
Sirens emerged from halftime with more composure and attempted to push forward when possible. However, in the 67th minute, Brandon Paiber picked out an unmarked Scicluna in the box, who headed in Valletta’s second goal. Brazilian substitute Jefferson Carioca sealed the victory with an 82nd-minute strike following a swift Valletta counter-attack.
Santa Lucia……0
Marsa……………5
On Sunday evening, Marsa made a powerful start by thrashing a dismal Santa Lucia team 5-0 in a completely one-sided contest. Based on this performance, Marsa appear strong contenders for promotion to the Premier League, whereas Santa Lucia already find themselves in a precarious situation, exacerbated by having just four outfield players available on the bench.
Marsa took control from the outset, maintaining relentless pressure on Santa Lucia’s defence. Their efforts bore fruit after 25 minutes when Kyle Gatt found the net from close range following a scramble in front of goal.
Only seven minutes later, Marsa extended their lead as Santa Lucia defender Andreas Vella inadvertently turned the ball into his own goal while trying to clear. Continuing their assault, Robinho narrowly missed with a shot that went over the bar just five minutes before half-time.
Three minutes into the second half, Marsa added to their tally with a spectacular goal from Aslen Kevin, who struck from long range while on the turn. The remainder of the match was essentially a practice session for Marsa, who had a penalty opportunity squandered nine minutes before the end when Dylan Agius’ attempt was expertly saved by goalkeeper Miguel Spiteri. However, Spiteri was powerless to stop the resulting corner, as substitute Sgaria Farias headed in with his initial touch. In injury time, Santa Lucia’s woes were compounded when Lydon Micallef netted the fifth and final goal from close quarters.
Tarxien Rainbows…..2
Mtarfa……………………0
At the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Tarxien Rainbows began their Challenge League campaign with a well-fought victory over newly promoted Mtarfa, winning 2-0. Both sides showcased solid performances, with the decisive goal coming moments before the final whistle.
The Rainbows took the lead ten minutes before half-time through a low drive from outside the penalty area by Brazilian Claudio Murici, formerly of Ghajnsielem.
Mtarfa responded positively to conceding, and were unfortunate not to equalise early in the second half with a low shot from distance by Peter Sammut. They continued to exert pressure in search of an equaliser, but several off-target attempts left them without the desired result. In the closing minutes, Jacques Scerri’s team secured the win with a well-executed counter-attack, culminating in a delightful lob by Sheldon Mizzi.
Lija………1
Pieta.…….2
The Challenge League season commenced on Saturday afternoon with a match between Lija Athletic and Pieta’ Hotspurs, ending with a narrow victory for the latter, who triumphed 2-1. The game was closely contested and could have swung either way, highlighting that both sides need to enhance their performances to avoid relegation later in the season.
During the opening 20 minutes, Lija had several chances through Erjon Beu, Gianluca Falzon, and a header from Leon Muscat but failed to convert, partly due to some impressive saves by Reeves Cini.
Hamrun Spartans loanee Kian Vella missed a great opportunity in the 21st minute from just outside the six-yard box, his shot going wide. Shortly after, Pieta’s Jeremy Micallef struck the post from a counter-attack, with Gabriel Xuereb unable to capitalise on the rebound.
Pieta’ broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half when Emmanuel Bio was sent clear on the edge of the penalty area and finished precisely past Luke Bonnici.Just after the hour mark, Lija equalised thanks to a brilliant run down the right wing by Brazilian winger Makalysten. He outpaced his marker and caught Cini off guard with a quick corner. Lija had opportunities to take the lead 2-1, but both Makalysten and Aron Hernandez squandered close-range chances. With just eight minutes of normal time remaining, Bio electrified the crowd with a superb curling shot from outside the box that beat Bonnici. Lija nearly found an equaliser when Omar Khatib’s header from a corner skimmed the top of the net at 86 minutes.
Żurrieq……1
Swieqi……..2
In the second match on Saturday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Swieqi rightfully triumphed over Zurrieq with a score of 2-1, in a game they should have settled much earlier. A late goal from Zurrieq, gifted by Swieqi’s defence, sparked a late rally from Zurrieq, but Swieqi managed to maintain their slender lead.
Pablo Doffo’s side nearly went ahead at the 11-minute mark when Blessing Brafo set up Augusto Caseres, but the Argentinian shot over from a promising angle. Shortly after, Alan Schembri-Wismayer’s effort narrowly missed the crossbar, squandering another good chance for Swieqi. However, Swieqi were not to be denied for long, as Caseres put his new team in the lead on 17 minutes by smashing home a loose ball in the penalty area.
Blessing Brafo continued to trouble Zurrieq’s defence and it was the Ghanaian striker who doubled Swieqi’s lead on 53 minutes with a low shot from the left side of the box, assisted by Caseres. The 2-0 advantage was well-earned and could have been larger if Swieqi had been more accurate in their finishing. As the hour mark approached, Deacon Abela nearly secured a third goal for Swieqi from a corner kick, but a Zurrieq defender managed to clear the ball off the line. In the 81st minute, Swieqi’s goalkeeper Jean-Claude Debattista committed a rare mistake, allowing Zurrieq’s captain Xylon Portelli to score, reviving hope in the match. However, it was ultimately insufficient for Zurrieq, who now face a tough challenge to replicate their previous seasons’ achievement of reaching the Championship Pool.
Mġarr…………0
Gudja………….1
The most unexpected event of the weekend was undoubtedly Gudja United’s triumph over Amateur League champions Mgarr United, a result few would have anticipated. The Northerners were quite unfortunate not to secure at least a point from this contest, as they showcased a commendable performance.
The first shot on goal led to the decisive score for Gudja, with a powerful effort from within the penalty area by their new Brazilian signing Diego putting them ahead after 20 minutes. Just before half-time, Gudja, utilising counter-attacks, nearly doubled their lead with an excellent attempt by Dale Mifsud, whose shot narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Mgarr dominated possession and exerted relentless pressure until the final whistle, but they failed to capitalise on their numerous scoring opportunities. Clive Gauci and Luka Mijic’s shots were brilliantly saved by Gudja goalkeeper Daniel Attard (formerly of Marsaskala), securing a vital three points for coach Orosco Anonam’s side.
Fgura………….0
A first-half strike from Carlos Henneberg proved decisive, allowing St Andrews to edge out the determined challenge posed by Fgura United in the late kick-off at Centenary Stadium on Saturday night. The match was a closely fought contest between two competitive teams, and it could have swung either way.
During the opening stages of the game, Fgura demonstrated more creativity but failed to convert their ideas into clear goal-scoring chances. At the 34-minute mark, Nathan Sultana fired a shot from the left that was initially blocked by Yenz Cini, but Henneberg capitalised on the rebound to score. Shortly after, at 41 minutes, Guilherme Teixeira nearly equalised for Fgura, but Jake Pisani made an excellent save to deny him.
In the second half, Fgura continued to dominate possession but struggled to turn their superiority into meaningful opportunities. The closest they came was on 81 minutes when Teixeira pounced on a weak attempt from Michael Gatt; however, Pisani thwarted him once again. Late into stoppage time, former Naxxar midfielder Elizeu almost secured a second goal for St Andrews with a superb free-kick, only for Cini to make an outstanding save.
Senglea………1
Żebbuġ………..1
On Sunday evening, Zebbug and Senglea each secured a point in an engaging 1-1 draw. Zebbug seemed the stronger side and crafted better opportunities, yet Senglea displayed commendable resilience and determination to claim a point.
The first half was largely a midfield battle with neither team able to create clear chances, particularly in the opening 30 minutes. Zebbug held the upper hand for significant stretches, but Senglea were quick on the counterattack. Zebbug lost their new player Lesley Cassar-Jackson early on and had some wayward attempts. The first genuine chance came at the 30-minute mark from Senglea’s Terence Vella, but Jamie Azzopardi made a good save. At the other end, Duvan Mosquera had a shot blocked by Senglea’s goalkeeper Jonathan Grech, followed by another effort that narrowly missed the post.
Zebbug took the lead after 64 minutes when Camilo Diaz netted a well-placed ground shot. Just three minutes later, Mosquera’s shot caught Grech off guard but struck the crossbar instead of finding the net.Shortly after, Zebbug had another near miss as Mosquera, set up by Diaz, evaded the goalkeeper only for his attempt to be cleared off the line by Irvin Abela. However, in the 77th minute, Senglea equalised from a corner. Azzopardi initially made an excellent save from Terence Vella’s header but was helpless as Keith Vella’s follow-up header found the back of the net. Zebbug continued to press for a winning goal and were unfortunate once more when a header from James Vella struck the crossbar.
