BNF U15 and U17 Leagues Review: Title deciders to cap off final days, Balzan secure League B title

Balzan FC - BNF U15 League B Champions 2025/26 - Photos by Timmy Cutugno

BNF U15 League A – Matchday 19

In the BNF U15 League A, the title race is set to go down right to the very wire, as St Andrews FC and Valletta FC both secured wins on the final matchday, meaning the title will go down to a decider.

St Andrews faced off against Birkirkara FC on Saturday at Dingli Ground.

The match was off to a relatively even start, with neither side really dominating the game. However, St Andrews eventually showed the quality that had propelled them to the top of the league in the second half. Edward Pace fired St Andrews ahead in the 48th minute, before wide player Qays Ashour doubled their advantage only 12 minutes later, securing all three points.

Elsewhere, Valletta mirrored St Andrews’ result with a 2-0 win over Hibernians FC, once again relying on a second-half flurry.

After a relatively quiet first half, Valletta eventually upped their game in the second half. They went in front in the 70th minute, when the ball was inadvertently put in the goal by Hibernians goalkeeper Nayte Grech. It was 2-0 in the space of a few minutes, as Ezekiel Okoro doubled their lead with a fine finish, essentially sealing the victory for the Lilywhites.

As a result, both St Andrews and Valletta finished the campaign on 40 points, with the two sides now set to face off in a deciding match on Saturday 2nd May at 11:00hrs at the Centenary Stadium, determining who will go on to win the BNF U15 League A title.

BNF U15 League B – Matchday 19

Balzan FC lifted the BNF U15 League B title on Saturday, despite finishing the campaign with a narrow defeat against Melita FC, who in turn will join their opponents in the top tier next season having secured promotion.

Balzan started strong, looking to end their season on a positive note, and Edward Craig Schembri fired them in front after 36 minutes. Melita regrouped, and they settled down following the setback. In the second half, the match was much more even, with Balan looking to control the midfield, but Melita were pushing forward, knowing they needed to a win to ensure promotion. After pressing the Balzan defence, they eventually got their leveller in the 85th minute thanks to captain Andrew Pace. This gave the Melita faithful plenty of confidence and momentum, and they capitalised on that, and in the 89th minute, Ettore Lomonaco popped up with a goal, giving them the lead and eventually all three points.

Balzan FC - BNF U15 League B Champions 2025/26 - Photo by Timmy Cutugno

As a result, Balzan finished the league on 45 points, winning the title, while Melita capped it off on 42 points, finishing in second place and going up with Balzan.

The trophy was presented to Balzan by Malta FA Vice President Ing. Trustin Farrugia Cann.

At the Luxol Stadium, Fgura United got a well-earned win over Sliema Wanderers FC, yet it ultimately did not prove enough for them to go up to League A.

The match was very tight, with neither side really controlling the play. After a rather drab first half, Fgura eventually got the winner in the 58th minute, when Sebastian Azzopardi found a rare pocked of space, before rifling the ball into the back of the net to give the Reds the advantage. Sliema pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but they ran out of time, and Fgura came away with all three points.

BNF U17 League A – Matchday 18

The BNF U17 League A title will go down to the final day, as both Mosta FC and Valletta FC secured wins, going level at the top of the table.

At the Charles Abela Stadium, Mosta were up against Sliema Wanderers FC, knowing that a win is crucial. Just like they have done throughout the whole campaign, Mosta started on the front foot, and they immediately took the lead, with Francois Micallef getting on the scoresheet. They used that strong start to their advantage, and they doubled their lead in the 25th minute thanks to midfielder Ryan Debono. Sliema looked to respond, and they got a goal back right before half-time thanks to Marco Baldacchino, setting up an interesting second half.

However, Mosta pulled through in the second half, and Zion Micallef Bickle restored their two-goal lead in the 52nd minute, before Fjordi Bardhi made it 4-1 before the full-time whistle, giving them all three points.

Yet Valletta also secured the victory in their match against Pietà Hotspurs FC, requiring a last-minute winner to force a dramatic finish to the league title.

Pietà have proven to be a tough team to beat throughout the whole campaign, and they started the match the stronger of the two teams, with Kuylon Aquilina firing them ahead after 22 minutes. Valletta regrouped, and they started to mount attacks of their own, but they could not breach the Hotspurs’ backline in the first half.

Valletta started to look more dangerous after the break, and they got their leveller in the 50th minute thanks to a strike from Kayden Farrugia. Eight minutes later, the score was flipped on its head. Valletta were awarded a penalty, and captain Mattiaz Ancilleri made no mistake from the spot, firing the Lilywhites ahead. In the closing stages, Valletta defended admirably, wanting to hold on to their win, but Pietà were pushing, and they eventually found a way through in the 91st minute, when Kaylon Zammit struck a shot, seemingly crushing Valletta’s title hopes. Yet there was another twist in the tale, as in the 94th minute, with the match seemingly set to finish level, Ancilleri popped up with a dramatic winner, giving Valletta the win and ensuring the title will go down to the final day.

Valletta and Mosta will face one another on Sunday 3rd May at the Centenary Stadium, with kick-off at 10:00hrs. Whoever wins secures the title. If the match finishes in a draw, it will go down to a decider.

At the other end of the table, Fgura United secured their BNF U17 League A status with a win over St Andrews FC, with Melita FC and San Gwann FC suffering relegation.

For large parts of the Play-Out Section, St Andrews have been dominant, but Fgura looked up for the match from the very first whistle. Just four minutes into the encounter, Alexander Grima put them in front with a fine finish, leaving St Andrews goalkeeper Pier Luigi Micallef with no chance. St Andrews settled down after that, and they started to mount some opportunities of their own, but they could not find the back of the net.

In the second half, Karl Bugeja doubled Fgura’s lead, giving them a cushion going into the final few minutes of the match. However, St Andrews made it interesting by getting a goal of their own just 10 minutes later, as Andrei Agius rifled a ball into the back of the net. Despite that, Fgura responded, and they issued an immediate reply, as Kayne Bugeja found a moment of space, striking the ball into the net to essentially secure Fgura’s victory, and safety from relegation.

BNF U17 League B – Matchday 18

Mellieha SC narrowly avoided relegation after securing a triumphant win in the Play-Out Section, while other results went their way, as Marsaskala FC fell to defeat.

In a direct clash between the bottom two clubs, Mellieha secured a resounding 7-1 win over Gozo FC at the Kercem Ajax Stadium on Sunday.

Mellieha were in full control of the match straight away, and they took the lead after just 10 minutes through Dylan Saliba. While Gozo settled down right after the goal, they were finding it difficult to place Mellieha under any pressure. In the second half, Mellieha ran riot, and Lydon Luke Bartolo scored twice in the first 10 minutes after the restart, extending their lead to 3-0. Rohan Julian Farrugia added to the scoring in the 63rd minute to make it 4-0, before Luka Haber got a goal back for Gozo five minutes later. However, Yanis Gauci bagged a brace midway right after, before Isaac Gauci also got in on the goalscoring action with a very late goal, making it 7-1 to the Northsiders.

Marsaskala ended up suffering relegation after Kirkop United won in their clash at the Siggiewi Ground on Sunday.

After a rather tight first half, where neither side really dominated the play. Kirkop asserted themselves after half-time. They were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute, and Nathan Micallef fired them in front. Later in the half, Micallef was on the scoresheet again to make it 2-0 to Kirkop, before getting another goal a few minutes later to complete his hat-trick. In the 83rd minute, Isaac Mizzi completed the victory with a goal of his own to make it 4-0.

For the full results and table standings, check out the matchcentre.