BOV Challenge League MD2 Review: Late goals see Gudja draw with Zebbug, Mgarr beat Birzebbuga

Photos: Malta FA, Joel Sant - Malta FA

BOV CHALLENGE LEAGUE 2025/26
MATCHDAY 2

Mgarr United 1-0 Birzebbuga St Peter’s
By recording their second consecutive win, Mgarr United are joint league leaders in the 2025/26 BOV Challenge League, beating Birzebbuga in a tight contest on Sunday at the Centenary Stadium. In all fairness, Birzebbuga produced the better football and were the most dangerous of the two sides but failed to convert their chances, with Mgarr eventually walking off the field with the three points.

The Saints had the upper-hand from the very start, superbly in control of the match with Mgarr clearly leaving the initiative to the Blues. The team of coach Edgar Degabriele did create some chances but either found 40-year-old Mgarr custodian Jonathan Debono on their way or simply failed to find target from the few opportunities they had.

Greens coach Shaun Bajada brought Terence Vella and Brazilian playmaker Christyan as two half-time subs, trying to turn the tide but it was initially once more Birzebbuga who proved to be the more creative side, wasting a few more goal scoring opportunities through Alex Bruno, Paul Lapira and David Oliveira. However, on 82 minutes, it was Cristhyan who scored the winner for Mgarr, kicking the ball behind Julian Azzopardi in the six-yard box after a great individual effort which totally deceived a few Saints defenders in the process.

Mgarr United 1-0 Birzebbuga St Peter's FC - 21.09.25 - Joel Sant - Malta FA

Fgura United 2-0 Santa Lucia
In Saturday night’s late Victor Tedesco Stadium kick-off, Fgura United earned another three points as they scored twice in the second half to beat Santa Lucia 2-0. Together with Mgarr, Fgura therefore bagged the full points from their first two games of the campaign, without conceding a goal during their first 180 minutes of football.

The first 45 minutes were a disappointment with both defences on top and hardly any shot at goal apart from a freekick by Samuel Buhagiar on 20 minutes for Fgura from which Hidesato Ueda had a shot from close range saved by goalkeeper Christopher Farrugia. 

However, Fgura managed to break the deadlock four minutes into the second half when Alan Abdel Rahman, served on the right, managed to beat goalkeeper Farrugia to put Kevin Vella’s team in the driving seat. Adrian Borg had a header saved for Santa Lucia by Yenz Cini on 53 minutes and five minutes later on the other side, Fgura missed an incredible opportunity when off a good move by Dylan Caruana, Ueda hit wide from an excellent position inside the area.

But Fgura managed to double nevertheless on 67 minutes thanks to Liberian striker Nicholas Andrews, who concluded a good move with a powerful shot which gave Farrugia no chance. The Reds were now clearly in command and on 74 minutes, a shot by Andrews from outside the area was parried by Farrugia while seven minutes later, a Michael Gatt volley ended just over the bar.

Gudja United 1-1 Zebbug Rangers
At the Centenary Stadium on Saturday night, Gudja United and Zebbug Rangers shared the spoils in an entertaining encounter that could have gone either way. To their credit, both sides pushed forward in search of the three points until the very end but eventually had to settle for a point each.

The Rangers had the first real opportunity on the half-hour mark when former Pembroke player Lydon Sammut, unmarked inside the box, struck the post. Gudja responded five minutes from half-time through a solo effort by Joseph Agbakwuru, whose effort from close range hit the side-netting. Moments later, Bjorn Buhagiar tried his luck from distance but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi.

Gudja United 1-1 Zebbug Rangers FC - 20.09.25 - Malta FA

After the break, Gudja looked more threatening and came inches from scoring in the 65th minute when an excellent corner from Llywellyn Cremona found Agbakwuru, but his header came off the post. But six minutes later, Gudja broke the deadlock from the penalty spot when Donys Quintero, who had been fouled inside the area by Jake Attard, converted in style.

However, Zebbug refused to give in and nine minutes from time grabbed the equaliser when Luca Gatt struck home a first-time effort to make it 1-1, securing the first campaign point for the Rangers.

Swieqi United 1-1 St Andrews
In Saturday’s early Victor Tedesco Stadium kick-off, Swieqi United were held in a 1-1 draw by neighbours St Andrews. The Owls were 1-0 up at half-time but despite being in full control of the game, conceded half-way the second half to settle for a point.

At the start of the action-packed first half, Swieqi were clearly a better side and managed to take the lead on 12 minutes when Salam Mawuena, served on the right, beat goalkeeper Jake Pisani from close range. A few minutes later, Kian Leonardi (ex-Pieta) was unlucky to hit the foot of the upright with an angled shot from the right following a good move; the ball sailed along the goal line with Matthew Debattista having an effort blocked by the Saints defence. 

On the half hour, Leonardi was unlucky to hit the crossbar when served by Debattista from the left. St Andrews replied with a Mattia Galliano long distance freekick which was parried by Jean Claude Debattista two minutes later.  A shot from outside the area by Leonardi, off a corner from the right, was blocked by the goalkeeper with Matthew Spiteri hitting the upright from close range. 

Swieqi remained the better side in the second half and Michael Micallef went close with a shot from outside the area on 58 minutes which ended just over the bar. However, on 67 minutes, Luxol levelled matters courtesy of Duvan Mosquera, who beat goalkeeper Debattista with a powerful shot from the left. 

Not much later, Swieqi replied with a cross by Spiteri from which Mawuena and Debattista had shots blocked by the St. Andrews rear-guard. Matthew Debattista had a shot from the edge of the area ending just wide on 81 minutes.  Two minutes from time, Mawuena was unlucky to hit the upright with a shot from inside the area as Liam Mangion’s side kept pushing in their bid to regain the lead but eventually had to settle for a draw. 

Zurrieq 1-5 Melita
Following last week’s setback, Melita returned to winning ways with a resounding 5-1 victory over Zurrieq at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. It was a fine display from Brian Said’s side, with towering striker Jesus Andres Yepez proving almost unstoppable, scoring two goals. It was midfielder Nicky Cutajar’s 100th official senior game for Melita.

The Amateurs opened the scoring midway through the first half with a well-orchestrated counterattack, finished off by captain Jean Pierre Attard from close range. Zurrieq had a chance to level just before the break when Jhoel Sarrade found himself in a scoring position inside the area, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Not many expected Melita to run circles around Zurrieq after the restart, but they did just that, doubling their advantage through a splendid curling strike from outside the box by Yepez on 49 minutes. The Venezuelan striker struck again six minutes later with a precise low shot into the right corner, putting Melita firmly in control.

In the 63rd minute, Quadri Allionda added a fourth with a composed corner finish while five minutes later, Zurrieq pulled one back through substitute Jamie Zerafa. However, Brian Spiteri’s side failed to produce a come-back and in the dying moments, youngster Timothy Cassar Torregiani sealed the win with a fifth Melita goal, a rare large score for the Amateurs, who have proven to be a team to reckon with this season.

Sirens 1-3 Balzan
In the late Centenary Stadium last Saturday, Balzan came from behind to return to winning ways after last week’s setback, defeating Sirens 3-1. Balzan, back playing second-tier football after a lapse of 14 years, managed to turn the match around in the second period, being down by a goal at half-time. On the other hand, Steve Damato’s side will rue their missed chances as they remain on three points after last week’s victory over Vittoriosa Stars.

Winger Jean Borg (Sirens) played his 100th career match while substitute Alan Schembri-Wismayer, on his debut for the Blues, made his 100th second-tier appearance.

Balzan came close to scoring in the opening action of the game when James Scicluna’s strike from outside the box rattled the crossbar. In the 26th minute, Sirens broke the deadlock through an unfortunate own goal by Sean Cipriott, who somehow beat his own goalkeeper from a cross from Trezeguet Zammit

Andrew Cohen’s team equalised immediately after the change of ends thanks to a header from Brazilian forward Gabriel Luis Santos. On 62 minutes, Balzan were again denied by the crossbar as substitute Stephen Chiemezie’s well-timed header bounced back into play.

But the Reds finally went ahead in the 70th minute when Awosanya Oluwale finished off in style a great move by Balzan. Ten minutes from time, Chiemezie sealed the victory with another precise header, making it 3-1 and securing all three points for Balzan.

Pieta’ Hotspurs 2-0 Vittoriosa Stars
On Sunday night, Pieta’ Hotspurs recorded their first victory of the campaign, beating Vittoriosa Stars 2-0 at the Centenary Stadium. It was a game the Blues dominated from start to finish, and therefore their win was much deserved. For the Stars, Arsene Rye Cilia-Mumford played his 100th match in the second-tier of Maltese football.

With a solid rear and plenty of attacking power, Pieta dominated the first half in all aspects, creating several goalscoring opportunities. The Blues had to wait up to the 41st minute to find the net however, when Brazilian striker Renan Bigode rounded off a Gabriel Mannino cross to give the Hotspurs a minimal 1-0 lead at half-time.

Manuel Caruana’s side scored a similar goal right after the break, with Arthur Felippe heading home a Jeremy Micallef cross. Somehow, the Stars failed to stage a come-back with striker Godwin Emmanuel being controlled well up front by the Pieta rear-guard, with eventually the Blues bagging an important morale-boosting three points.

Mtarfa 0-2 Marsa
The match between bottom sides Mtarfa and Marsa was target for the latter, who quite easily cruised to a 2-0 victory at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday night. Although the scoreline suggests a balanced encounter, the match was largely one-sided, with Ryan Fenech’s team missing numerous opportunities to extend their slender lead, with the second goal only arriving in the 90th minute.

After a couple of early efforts went off target, Gabriel Cruz opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finding the net with a towering header. Just before half-time, Marsa came close to doubling their advantage, but Gianluca Bugeja’s close-range effort struck the crossbar.

Following the restart, Marquinho unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box which cannoned off the woodwork. Marsa continued to dominate, creating several chances, and their persistence was finally rewarded in the dying minutes when South Sudanese substitute Atem Dor Jok sealed the victory with a simple tap-in. Marsa are therefore relieved from their -2 points start, with their tally now being in the plus.