Valletta’s lead in the BOV Challenge League has been reduced after a goalless draw against Żebbuġ Rangers. Meanwhile, Pietà Hotspurs moved within four points of the league leaders following a 1-0 victory over Marsa.
Pietà Hotspurs 1-0 Marsa
Pietà returned to winning ways with an important victory against Marsa. The only goal of the game came three minutes into the second half, courtesy of Ross McParland. For Marsa, this marked their second league defeat of the season.
Valletta 0-0 Żebbuġ Rangers
Valletta failed to find the net against Żebbuġ Rangers, missing the chance to secure three points. Despite the result, they remain top of the league. Żebbuġ, on the other hand, earned a crucial point, marking their third consecutive draw—a significant boost for their standings and morale.
Sirens 2-2 Żurrieq
In a tightly contested match, Sirens and Żurrieq shared the points. Żurrieq took the lead through Darren Borg in the 20th minute. However, Sirens quickly turned the game around with goals from Trezeguet Zammit and Thiago Nonato Peixoto in the 41st and 44th minutes, respectively. Żurrieq equalised in the 57th minute through Sulahmana Mamadu Bah, and the score remained 2-2 until the final whistle.
Lija Athletic 0-1 Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia secured their fifth consecutive victory by defeating Lija Athletic 1-0. The only goal of the match came ten minutes from time, scored by Jean Carlos Cloth Goncalves. The result keeps Santa Lucia’s hopes of finishing in the top eight alive, while Lija suffered their seventh league defeat and remain second from bottom.
Gudja United 4-2 St. Andrews
Gudja United returned to winning ways with an important victory over St. Andrews. All six goals came in the second half. Nicholas Gauci opened the scoring for Gudja in the 47th minute, but Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte equalised for St. Andrews three minutes later. Gudja restored their lead through Willian Henrique Dos Santos in the 51st minute, only for Owen Magro to level the score again in the 61st minute. However, Diego Silva Caetano put Gudja back in front in the 66th minute, and Dale Mifsud sealed the win four minutes from time.
Senglea Athletic 0-2 Tarxien Rainbows
Tarxien returned to winning ways after three consecutive defeats, thanks to two first-half goals. Gabriel Mensah opened the scoring in the 19th minute, and Dacosta Boadu doubled the lead from the penalty spot in added time. Despite creating chances, Senglea failed to capitalise and remain near the bottom of the table. Tarxien ended the match with ten men after Manji Williams was sent off for a second yellow card in the 87th minute.
Mġarr United 0-0 Fgura United
Although the match ended without goals, it was an intense encounter with chances at both ends. The draw was a morale-boosting result for Fgura, while Mġarr will see it as two points dropped. This was Fgura’s third consecutive draw.
Swieqi United 2-1 Mtarfa
Swieqi defeated bottom-placed Mtarfa, opening the match strongly with two first-half goals. Daniel Agius scored in the 16th minute, followed by Nicholas Pisani in the 37th. Darren Falzon reduced the deficit for Mtarfa with a penalty in the 55th minute. However, Mtarfa’s chances of a comeback were hampered when Ayrton Senna Azzopardi and Frederick Tabone were sent off in the 82nd and 86th minutes, respectively.
League Standings
- Valletta – 23 points
- Pietà – 19 points
- Marsa – 18 points
- Swieqi – 18 points
- Żurrieq – 17 points
- Gudja – 17 points
- Mġarr – 16 points
- Sirens – 16 points
- Tarxien – 16 points
- Santa Lucia – 16 points
- Żebbuġ – 10 points
- Fgura – 9 points
- St. Andrews – 9 points
- Senglea – 6 points
- Lija – 5 points
- Mtarfa – 4 points
Upcoming Fixtures (4th and 5th January)
- Mtarfa vs Marsa
- Swieqi vs Pietà
- Valletta vs Gudja
- Santa Lucia vs Żurrieq
- Lija vs Sirens
- Mġarr vs Senglea
- Fgura vs Tarxien
- Żebbuġ vs St. Andrews
