BOV Challenge Cup Semi-Finals Review: Melita and Birzebbuga win in Gozo to set up intriguing Final

Photos by Anaca Photography

BOV CHALLENGE CUP 2025/26
SEMI-FINALS

Melita 3-1 Xewkija Tigers
The first Finalists of this season’s BOV Challenge Cup are Melita, who came from behind beat Xewkija Tigers 3-1 at the Gozo Stadium last Saturday. With a 2-1 half-time score, the Amateurs faced a tough second half but managed to scrape through with their last goal being scored thanks to a penalty in stoppage time.

The Tigers started strongly and had a first opportunity after just three minutes when Brian Parada saw his effort blocked by the Melita defence. Xewkija took the lead when Josiah Buttigieg curled a free kick which was headed home at the near post by Ian Xuereb on six minutes. Melita reacted immediately but Eric Mensah’s shot from a distance was easily saved by Adrian Parnis.

Melita FC 3-1 Xewkija Tigers FC - Photos by Anaca Photography

However, Melita equalised on 10 minutes when a corner by Alan Borg Olivier ended up against the net with Parnis stunned by the wickedly curling ball. Melita started creating chances and were close to adding another goal on 16 minutes when a low cross by Kurt Bondin was intercepted by Parnis with Mensah waiting to pounce.

Melita continued dictating the game and added a second on 21 minutes with an excellent header by Kevin Moreno from a cross by Gareth Barone. However, after complete Melita dominance, Xewkija missed a glorious chance late in the opening half when Parada squared to Denzil Bugeja who shot well over the bar. Xewkija missed another golden opportunity to equalise in first half stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty, but Brian Parada saw his effort saved by Sean Mintoff.

The second half began quieter with the first 15 minutes coming off without incident. The first opportunity of the half arrived on 76 minutes when a shot by Angel Manuel Bustos went just over the bar as Xewkija attempted to claw back an equaliser. Melita almost made the game safe on 83 minutes when Mensah received in the box, but his shot was blocked for a corner. From the same corner Melita missed an incredible chance to score but somehow, the Xewkija defence cleared the danger.

At the very end of regular time, Melita’s Andreas Vella had a fine low shot that was saved by Parnis. Deep in stoppage time Melita were awarded a penalty with Gennaro Hili sent off and Eric Mensah made no mistake from the spot to send the Amateurs into the BOV Challenge Cup final.

Melita FC 3-1 Xewkija Tigers FC - Photos by Anaca Photography

Birzebbuga St Peter’s 2-1 SK Victoria Wanderers
(after extra time)

In the second semi-final of the BOV Challenge Cup last Sunday, Birzebbuga had to fight harder than expected to shake off the resistance of SK Victoria Wanderers at the Gozo Stadium, beating the Gozitans by the odd goal in three after extra time. Having just secured promotion to the Malta Premier League, the Saints were clear favourites against the Victoria team who only just missed contesting a relegation decider in the GFA First Division by the skin of their teeth on goal difference.

In the goalless opening period, the Gozitans began brightly and had a free kick after just three minutes that was however easily saved by James Pisani. Wanderers striker Mustapha Lawal was clean through on five minutes, but Pisani saved the attempt by the Nigerian. After that early flurry, Birzebbuga were in control of the game but did not really trouble Samuel Camilleri or the Victoria defence.

The only chance of note for Birzebbuga was a shot by Joey Reno Vella on 38 minutes that ended up well wide, however. Lawal had an effort for Victoria that went just wide on 40 minutes. The Wanderers had the best chance of the match in first half stoppage time when Matthias Cordina had a shot that clipped the post and went wide.

Birzebbuga St Peter's FC 2-1 SK Victoria Wanderers - Photos by Anaca Photography

Birzebbuga had another good opportunity on 52 minutes with a shot by Charles Chibuike that was saved by Camilleri. Four minutes later, Paul Lapira created an opportunity that went over the bar. But it was Victoria who took the lead a minute later when Lawal squared to Ender Alvarez, who rounded Pisani and shot into the net.

Victoria had another excellent chance to double the score on 66 minutes when efforts by Lawal and Alvarez were saved and blocked whilst Sam Harland saw his shot from, outside the box end up over the bar. Birzebbuga were unlucky not to equalise on 68 minutes when a looping header by Zachary Cassar ended up just wide.

The Seasiders finally equalised on 71 minutes when Duvan Mosquera fired a superb shot from outside the box that gave Camilleri no chance. The Southerners continued pressing forward and had another chance on 79 minutes with a shot by Randall Vella that ended up just wide. Substitute Daniel Zerafa came close for Birzebbuga fine minutes later with the ball clipping the crossbar. In the attack on the other side that followed, Victoria replied with a shot by Matthias Cordina that ended up just over. However, neither side managed to break the deadlock and the match went to extra time.

Birzebbuga had the first opportunity in extra time when a shot by Zerafa was well saved by Camilleri. The rest of the half passed without incident with Birzebbuga coming close again on 108 minutes when Mosquera saw his free kick blocked by the Victoria defence. The Saints had another great chance on 113 minutes when an excellent shot by Leonardo Agius was quite brilliantly saved by Camilleri. And right on the 120th minute, Birzebbuga won the match with a header by Zerafa from a free kick to break Victoria Wanderers’ hearts.

Birzebbuga St Peter's FC 2-1 SK Victoria Wanderers - Photos by Anaca Photography