BNF U15 Knockout Review: Hibernians beat Hamrun, Balzan stun Melita to book place in Final

Balzan FC 2-1 Melita FC - 12.04.25 - Photo by Balzan FC

The Semi-Finals of the BNF U15 Knockout took place over the weekend, as four teams battled it out for a place in the Final.

BNF U15 Knockout – Semi-Finals

Hibernians FC 3-1 Hamrun Spartans FC

Hibernians FC sealed a place in the BNF U15 Knockout Final after seeing out a 3-1 win over Hamrun Spartans FC on Saturday.

Hibernians came into the game as favourites, particularly given their impressive league form that saw them become crowned champions earlier this season. They have also showcased impressive form in the BNF U15 Knockout, easing past their opponents enroute to the Semi-Finals.

Hamrun have showcased similar form over the past few weeks, being the dominant side in the BNF U15 League A Play-Out section, with them being particularly fluid going forward.

Despite that, Hibs started very strong, and they were looking to trouble the Hamrun defence right from the start.

In the 25th minute, Hibernians got a golden opportunity to take the lead after they were awarded a penalty. Captain Jayden Roe took responsibility of the spot-kick, and he tucked it away excellently into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Hamrun regrouped following the setback, and they solidified their defending for the rest of the half.

However, the Paolites came out firing in the second-half, and they were attacking the Hamrun defence once again. They doubled their lead in the 51st minute, as forward Cole Zerafa broke free from the Hamrun defence, before tucking a shot past goalkeeper Julian Joseph Bugeja Gatt to make it 2-0.

Hamrun responded following the goal, and they got one back in the 58th minute, halving the deficit. The goal came from Declan Roosevelt Zammit, and his strike got the Spartans right back into the game.

Yet it did not take Hibs very long to restore their two-goal advantage, as Kenzil Vella found space in between the Hamrun defenders, before stroking the ball into the back of the net in the 67th minute, making it 3-1.

Hamrun pushed for another goal to get them back into the game again, yet the Hibernians defence stood firm, denying them any further space.

As a result, Hibs saw out the 3-1 win, becoming the first team to book a place in the BNF U15 Knockout Final.

Balzan FC 2-1 Melita FC

Hibernians will be facing BNF U15 League B opposition, as Balzan FC managed to edge past Melita FC to become the second team to confirm their place in the Final.

Balzan came into the game as strong underdogs given the difference in divisions, yet given their contrasting positions in their respective leagues, Melita were still wary of the attacking threat that Balzan possess.

In spite of that, Melita were the ones to take the lead. They fired themselves in front after just five minutes, with in-form forward Sean Gove getting his name on the scoresheet.

However, Balzan did not let this get to them, and they regrouped. They started to mount more attacks on the Melita defence, which has been very leaky of late, having conceded 22 goals in their last five league games.

Balzan eventually got their equaliser in the 38th minute, as Zeone Brincat freed himself from the shackles of the Melita backline, before putting the ball past Liam Buttigieg and into the back of the net.

Following the break, the match remained very tight, as both sides had their fair share of chances to get the winner.

The decisive moment came in the 80th minute, as Mattia Gauci broke free, and when faced with the Melita goalkeeper, he made no mistake, slotting it into the net to make it 2-1 to Balzan.

Melita pressed on in search of an equaliser, yet it was all too late, and Balzan emerged as 2-1 winners.

As a result, Balzan will be the team facing Hibernians in the BNF U15 Knockout Final, setting up an intriguing encounter.