IZIBET NATIONAL AMATEUR LEAGUE I
MATCH DAY 1
Qormi 1-2 Pembroke Athleta
The 2024/25 Amateur League season kicked off last Friday night at the Centenary Stadium with a matchup between Qormi and Pembroke Athleta. Unfortunately for Qormi, who are among the promotion contenders this season, they succumbed to an energetic Pembroke Athleta side that emerged victorious thanks to a last-minute goal from substitute Ryan Sciberras.
Qormi, maintaining faith in coach Lydon Fenech, showcased new signing Claudio Antunes Pavlidis ‘Cadu’ from Pieta’ Hotspurs, who came close to scoring midway through the first half with an attempt from outside the box that narrowly missed. A powerful header by South African Jordan Rayne Sampson (formerly of Kaizer Chiefs) in the 37th minute from a corner also failed to hit the target.
It was Pembroke who struck first, taking the lead in stoppage time of the first half when captain Kyle Sciberras-Balbi headed in from a free-kick situation.
After the break, young Jayden Borg tested Pembroke goalkeeper Dean Sciberras (formerly of Rabat) with a rising shot that required a good save in the 53rd minute. However, Qormi faced a setback when Sampson received a second yellow card for a foul on Weverton and was sent off in the 68th minute.
Despite being a man down, Cadu equalized for Qormi in the 83rd minute with an unstoppable shot from just outside the box. Qormi substitute Jamie-Lee Micallef (formerly of Mgarr) had two excellent chances in the closing minutes, but it was Pembroke who clinched the winner deep into stoppage time. Sciberras struck a fine goal, marking his 68th in Maltese football and securing three vital points for Jeffrey Mifsud’s side.
Luqa St Andrew’s 1-3 Kirkop United
Last Saturday night, neighbours Luqa and Kirkop kicked off their season at Luxol Stadium, with all four goals scored in the first half. Kirkop opened the scoring just seven minutes in, as lanky Nigerian striker Joachim David King unleashed a powerful shot that found the net past Luqa’s goalkeeper, Dunstan Zarb. Kirkop doubled their lead in the 15th minute with a stunning free kick from 19-year-old Darry Vella Gerada that left Zarb with no chance. Just three minutes later, Giovanni Galea made it 3-0 with another free kick, leaving Luqa reeling. Luqa had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 43rd minute, but Clayton Rapa produced a brilliant save to deny Josuel Spiteri’s close-range header. However, Luqa managed to pull one back in stoppage time of the first half, thanks to an excellent header from Dasser Sammut.
In the second half, Kirkop had a great opportunity to extend their lead in the 60th minute when Galea’s shot narrowly missed the target. Luqa struggled to create any significant chances after the break, allowing Kirkop to comfortably secure the victory, thanks to their early goal blitz.
Mellieha 1-3 Vittoriosa Stars
Jason Camenzuli’s Vittoriosa Stars claimed their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Mellieha in an entertaining clash between two teams vying for promotion. The Stars took the lead in the 15th minute with a swift counterattack, as Aaron Sammut’s shot hit the post and prolific scorer Joseph Ogunuppe slotted home the rebound. Mellieha equalized in the 38th minute through Malcolm Vella Vidal, who scored the Blues’ first league goal of the season after a quick counterattack.
Mellieha had an early chance in the second half when Calvin Camilleri’s shot was well saved by Vittoriosa goalkeeper Edward Gatt. The Cottonera side regained the lead when Liam Ciantar set up Nigerian striker Godwin Emmanuel (formerly of Ghajnsielem), who dribbled past the goalkeeper and scored to make it 2-1. Mellieha pushed for an equalizer, but in the dying moments of the match, the Stars secured the win with a penalty after Emmanuel was fouled by a Mellieha defender. Ogunuppe confidently converted from the spot, marking a perfect start to their campaign.
Birzebbuga St Peter’s 2-0 Rabat Ajax
In the early kick-off at Sirens Stadium on Saturday, Birzebbuga defeated Rabat Ajax to earn their first three points of the season. Samuel Saldanha scored both goals for the Seasiders, who are seen as strong contenders this season. The Magpies began well, with Lucas Barcik coming close twice early on—his first attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi in the 9th minute, and an angled shot in the 21st minute was deflected for a corner. However, Birzebbuga soon made their intentions clear, as Leejoe Schembri’s effort was turned into a corner by Jean Matthias Vella.
Just before the halftime whistle, Marquinho (previously of Xaghra United) was brought down in the box by Edward Falzon, and Saldanha converted the penalty to break the deadlock. Rabat responded with a cross-shot from Falzon that was saved by Azzopardi three minutes into the second half. Marquinho went close again with a shot that went just wide, but Birzebbuga doubled their lead in the 64th minute with a powerful strike from Saldanha that beat the Rabat goalkeeper. Aidan Azzopardi attempted a shot from the edge of the area, which was parried by Julian Azzopardi, while seven minutes from time, the Rabat midfielder tested the Birzebbuga goalkeeper again with another shot from the left.
San Gwann 2-1 Marsaskala
In a surprising turn of events, an all-Maltese San Gwann team, featuring several young talents from their own nursery, secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Marsaskala during last Saturday’s early kick-off at Luxol Stadium. Despite dominating possession throughout the match, Marsaskala was unable to capitalize on their chances.
Marsaskala took the lead in the 15th minute when Joshua Micallef rose to head home impressively from close range. However, San Gwann equalized just seven minutes later through Jake Lovegrove, who deftly directed the ball into the net from close range. Marsaskala had an opportunity to regain the lead around the half-hour mark, but James Oghenekewaro’s header was saved by Luciano Camilleri. Micallef then unleashed a brilliant shot from 30 yards in the 36th minute, but Camilleri was equal to the task with another outstanding save.
Continuing their momentum from the first half, Marsaskala nearly scored again when Micallef hit the post in the 60th minute. Yet, it was San Gwann who turned the tide in the 76th minute when a well-placed free kick found Jesmar Briffa at the edge of the box, and the defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Clyde Aquilina to give San Gwann the lead. Marsaskala pressed hard for an equalizer in the dying minutes, but San Gwann held firm to secure their first win of the season.
All Results:
Luqa St Andrew’s 1-3 Kirkop United
Mellieha 1-3 Vittoriosa Stars
Birzebbuga St Peter’s 2-0 Rabat Ajax
San Gwann 2-1 Marsaskala
Qormi 1-2 Pembroke Athleta
Attard 1-0 Zejtun Corinthians
Xghajra Tornados 1-1 Gharghur
Qrendi 1-1 Msida St Joseph
