BOV Amateur League 2 MD4 Review: Rabat continue promotion charge, Ghaxaq and Marsaskala share spoils

Photos by Owen Damato, Julian Borda, Malta FA

BOV AMATEUR LEAGUE II
MATCHDAY 4

Siggiewi 1-2 Kalkara United
With a maximum 12 points from the opening four games, Kalkara United are leading the table in the BOV Amateur League II firmly. Last Friday night however, the team of Brazilian mentor Bruno Menezes had to dig deeper than expected to shake off the resistance of Siggiewi, who gave Kalkara more than a match. While they were 2-0 up, and they thought they were going to cruise comfortably to another victory, Siggiewi’s second-half rally made Kalkara shake, specially after Tyrone Grech reduced the deficit halfway the second period, with Kalkara welcoming the final whistle with relief.

It took Kalkara just two minutes to take the lead when Miguel Perez Jimenez was released on the right side of the box, producing an unstoppable scorcher to beat Clyde Aquilina for the first time. The Colombian striker nearly doubled on ten minutes but veteran centre-back Matthew Borg cleared just in time. Siggiewi regrouped and threatened a few times through young Luke Debono, who tested Kalkara custodian Liam Lagana with two grounders halfway the first period. It was in fact Siggiewi who took over the initiative, pushing Kalkara back into their own half. On 38 minutes, Perez Jimenez nearly capitalised on a short back pass of Clyde Borg towards Aquilina but the goalkeeper managed to dive in front of the Colombians’ feet. Towards the end of the half, Aquilina did well to parade long-distance attempts by Rhys Gove and captain Aaron Hili, with the last one producing an accurate header from a corner action.

Three minutes into the second half, Kalkara doubled when Ryan Sammut was alert to kick the ball behind Aquilina from close-range. On 66 minutes, Siggiewi pulled one back when Tyrone Grech unleashed a scorcher from just outside the box which, according to the assistant referee, passed the goalline after it first hit the crossbar. At this point, Kalkara’s dominance was gone, with Siggiewi gently pressing for an equaliser. In a rare Kalkara attack on 83 minutes, Perez Jimenez beat the offside trap but failed to kick past Aquilina who performed another great save to deny the lively Colombian. Siggiewi did stage a late rally in search for an equaliser but Kalkara managed to take the three points and remain top of the league with their perfect record.

Ta’ Xbiex 0-2 Rabat Ajax
In the first Friday night fixture at the Centenary Stadium, Rabat recorded their second consecutive victory by beating Ta’ Xbiex 2-0, a most welcome result by the team of coach Matthew Genius, with them having now collected nine points and can be found back ranked second in the standings.

Ta' Xbiex FC 0-2 Rabat Ajax FC - 07.11.2025 - Photo by Malta FA

Ta’ Xbiex goalkeeper Carmelo Caruana was called into action in the third minute, splendidly blocking an Aidan Azzopardi attempt which could have easily meant an early Rabat opener. Azzopardi came again close on 11 minutes but his shot from close-range was turned into a corner by the alert Caruana. Rabat kept on showing the better ideas and barely a minute later, Victor Mbata was released but his goal attempt sailed over the bar with only Caruana to beat. Ta’ Xbiex gradually settled and took over the initiative but found it hard to find their forward line which resulted into a goalless first half.

On 56 minutes, Caruana did well with two splendid saves of Shylon Vella and from the resultant corner-kick, Davide Mula came close to find the net in the six-yard box but it was again Caruana who prevented a lead for the Magpies. The best chance for the seasiders arrived on 66 minutes when Jean-Matthias Vella made a great double save on a Nicholas Zammit attempt, also blocking the rebound of the veteran striker. On 70 minutes, Rabat took the lead when Mbata blasted home from close-range after receiving from Larens Vella who did all the hard work on the left flank, skipping past a few players.

With five minutes regular time left, Bledi Alla, not fully fit and therefore starting on the bench, headed on top of the cross-bar from close-range some ten minutes after coming on a substitute. Not much later, Ta’ Xbiex were unlucky again when Andrei Spiteri’s curling corner-kick hit the post with the Rabat rear-guard clearing. In the attack on the other side, Caruana denied Edward Falzon, who was sent through on the right flank with the Rabat substitute blasting the rebound high. In stoppage time, Mbata released Falzon once more on the right and this time he found the net with an accurate grounder to settle the outcome of the game.

St George’s 0-1 Mdina Knights
A goal just after the half hour mark was enough for Mdina Knights to beat St George’s in the second encounter at the Luxol Stadium on Saturday. While the Bormla clan were highly disappointed with the outcome of this game, Mdina gained precious points in a highly contested race for promotion. Before the match, Mdina captain Giovanni Galea was given a memento for his 400th career match.

The Pioneers began quite strongly and had a shot that went just over the bar by Ryan Dalli on 12 minutes. Mdina took the lead on 33 minutes when an in swinging corner found Miguel Calleja who slammed the ball home from close range. On 40 minutes, Galea managed a low shot that was easily saved by Clive Caruana. St George’s reacted with a free kick by Kurt Zahra on 45 minutes that went just over the crossbar.

In first-half stoppage time, Zahra could have made amends when St George’s were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. But his shot hit the post and was eventually cleared.

The second half started rather mutedly although St George’s had a good chance on 67 minutes when a corner was cleared off the line by Calleja. Another glorious chance arrived two minutes later when Andrea Hammett’s shot was saved by Jacob Chircop St John with the ball ending off the post. Although St George’s made some last-ditch efforts, Mdina held on firm for an important win.

Gharghur 1-0 Santa Venera Lightnings
Thanks to an early goal, Gharghur recorded their first victory of the campaign, beating Santa Venera Lightnings in a match from the bottom end of the table. Both Gharghur and Santa Venera were looking for points that could improve their position, with Gharghur worthy winners in a match that never reached any heights.

The team of coach Alan Friggieri, who had to start the season afresh with a team made up of several minor players, made their intentions clear after just two minutes when they took the lead through a fine strike by Aaron Doda who gave Saints goalkeeper Samuele Duzzi Nulli absolutely no chance. Gharghur continued dominating proceedings and should have doubled on 22 minutes when a superb shot by Jake Agius was saved by Duzzi Nulli. More chances came Gharghur’s way, particularly just before half time with a shot by Antonello Demanuele that ended up just wide.

Close to the hour, Gharghur had another good chance when Max Kirkbride was in the clear but somehow, Duzzi Nulli managed to block. Santa Venera pressed forward in search of an equalizer and on 74 minutes, Zak Francica saw his overhead kick saved by the excellent Gianluca Pisani. Gharghur had another chance on 77 minutes when Kirkbride’s effort went just wide. Still, Gharghur held on for their first win of the season, leapfrogging the Lightnings in the table.

Ghaxaq 2-2 Marsaskala
In the early Saturday afternoon kick-off at the Sirens Stadium, Marsaskala and Ghaxaq ended a much-entertaining match in a 2-2 draw. A result which did not favour any team however, as they both occupy the last two places in the ranking without any wins so far. Marsaskala might feel the hardest done by, giving away a 2-0 lead in the second half.

Ghaxaq FC 2-2 Marsaskala FC - 08.11.2025 - Photo by Julian Borda - Malta FA

Marsaskala opened the score in their first goalscoring opportunity on the 22nd minute, when after receiving from an inviting cross, Byron Madu was a the right position to hit home with a fine header. Marsaskala continued dictating matters and just before half-time doubled the score Craig Joyce placed the ball against the net from a precise cross by Nigel Borg.

A reaction was imperative from Ghaxaq and in the opening stages of the second half, they came out very aggressive and on 53 minutes they decreased the margin of score through a fine freekick by captain Neil Brownrigg which gave Marsaskala goalie Craig Sultana no chance. Marsaskala threatened again on the 70th minute when a shot from distance by substitute Jake Cassar Randich ended high. With three minutes of regular time left, Ghaxaq managed to save a point when from a rebound, as veteran Aaron Agius fired home from close range.  

Msida St Joseph 1-0 Dingli Swallows
(abandoned 69^th minute due to a power outage)
This match, which was the late Sirens Stadium kick-off on Saturday, had to be abandoned midway through the second half due to a power outage that hit that part of Qawra. That means that this game, in which Msida is leading Dingli 1-0, needs to be continued from 69 minutes, the moment the match was interrupted.

Msida St Joseph FC 1-0 Dingli Swallows FC - 08.11.2025 - Photo by Owen Damato - Malta FA

Dingli created the first goalmouth opportunity on 26 minutes when Gabriel Sant had his diagonal shot from outside the box ending wide. The team of coach Nicolai Caruana continued administering matters and in the 34th minute, it was the same Sant who had a fine chance from an ideal position which was held by Msida goalie Jonathan Mallia. But it was Msida who went ahead on 42 minutes when David Akindele from an ideal position sent the Saints into the dressing rooms with a 1-0 advantage.

In the opening stages of the second half, Dingli came out aggressive and seven minutes after the restart, the Swallows were awarded a penalty. Jurgen Gerada stepped up but his spot-kick was blocked by Mallia with Gerada blasting the rebound high. Then on 69 minutes the referee in charge abandoned the game as the power generator could not handle sufficient floodlighting after parts of Qawra were hit by an unexpected power cut.