BOV Youth League Review: Melita record impressive win over Birkirkara to remain top

Birkirkara FC 0-4 Melita FC - 03.11.2025 - Photos by Malta FA

This article is being regularly updated

BOV Youth League A – Phase 1 Matchday 6

Valletta FC recorded a crucial victory over Hamrun Spartans FC in the BOV Youth League A, needing a stoppage time winner.

Hamrun came into the encounter with a point to prove having had an underwhelming start to the season, while Valletta were looking to continue their push towards the top of the league.

Despite the contrasting starts to the season, the match was very tight throughout the whole 90 minutes, with neither side managing to get the better of the other.

While Valletta pressed in search of a winner, Hamrun were standing firm for large parts of the match.

The decisive moment eventually came in the 95th minute, when Keyon Ewurum found a rare moment of space in the Hamrun backline, before firing a shot past goalkeeper Miguel Camilleri that sailed into the net.

As a result, Valletta came away as 1-0 winners, taking their tally of the season to 15 points from six games.

However, Valletta remained in second, as Melita FC continued their impressive start to the season with a dominant display against Birkirkara FC at the Centenary Stadium, retaining top spot.

Melita got off to an incredible start, with them needing just a few seconds to take the lead, as Ben Ismael Cisse Bacongo found space in behind the Stripes’ defence, before finding the back of the net to open the scoring.

Birkirkara tried to put that early setback behind them, but Melita were relentless in their attacks, constantly troubling the Stripes.

Birkirkara’s task was made all the more difficult in the 33rd minute, after defender Bruno Zani was shown a straight red card, leaving them with 10 men for almost an hour of play.

The Reds made full use of their numerical advantage, and Cisse Bacongo was on hand to get his second of the match in the 42nd minute, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Josmar Gauci.

Birkirkara FC 0-4 Melita FC - 03.11.2025 - Photo by Malta FA

With the score 2-0 at the break, Melita were firmly in control of the match, with Birkirkara needing to issue a quick response if they were to get themselves back in the match.

However, Melita did not give them any time to recover, as in the 48th minute, Abdulazez Kasem made it 3-0 to the Reds.

The game’s pace slowed down after the goal, with a number of substitutions being made for both sides. There was still time for Melita to get another goal though, as Matthew Rossi, who had come on just a few minutes earlier, got on the scoresheet in the 87th minute.

BOV Youth League B – Phase 1 Matchday 6

Mgarr United maintained their perfect record with another excellent performance over the week, this time with a 5-0 win over Kirkop United.

Mgarr showed their attacking prowess from the very first whistle, attacking the Kirkop defence straight away.

In fact, they only needed two minutes to go in front, as Zack Scerri was on hand to fire them ahead with a cool finish past goalkeeper Alec Enriquez.

The Greens continued to push forward, with Kirkop struggling to get into the game. Wisdom Osaretin Igiebor doubled Mgarr’s lead in the 32nd minute, sending his side with a two-goal advantage before the break.

After half-time, Mgarr came out in the same manner that they did in the first half, looking to attack Kirkop immediately. Igiebor got his second of the match just three minutes into the half, striking a shot that flew into the net to extend Mgarr’s advantage.

Almost straight after the restart, Mgarr scored again, this time thanks to Scerri. Midway through the second half, the Greens made it 5-0, as Matthias Fenech found the back of the net, cementing the win and three more points for Mgarr.

At Pembroke Ground, Pembroke Athleta FC secured a 3-0 victory over San Gwann FC, the home side’s first win of the season.

Pembroke have had a tough start to the campaign, while the Saints have looked solid throughout their matches this season.

On Tuesday however, Pembroke were the better side from start to finish.

Ian Azzopardi broke the deadlock for Pembroke after 20 minutes, scoring past goalkeeper Gianni Farrugia. San Gwann grew into the half after the goal, wanting to get themselves back into the game.

However, Pembroke doubled their lead just a few minutes after the break, with Mirko Tardo getting the goal this time out.

Pembroke remained in the ascendancy, with San Gwann finding it difficult to get past the Pembroke defence. In the 72nd minute, Julian Cauchi put the game completely out of San Gwann’s reaching, getting on the end of a move to score and make it 3-0.

BOV Youth League C – Phase 1 Matchday 5

BOV Youth League C leaders Mellieha SC dropped points for the first time this season after drawing 1-1 with Birzebbuga St Peter’s FC on Wednesday.

The match was always going to be very tight, given that the two sides were only separated by two points prior to the match, and judging by their respective starts to the season, were both contenders for promotion.

Birzebbuga were the ones to get off to the stronger start, as they started to threaten the Mellieha defence immediately.

It took the Southsiders just six minutes to go in front, as prolific forward Yusuf Abdullahi Sulaiman burst through on goal, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Tonna to give Birzebbuga the lead.

Mellieha regrouped following the early setback, and were determined not to give Birzebbuga any more space in behind.

The encounter then became even tighter, with it largely being contested in midfield.

The Blues eventually got their equaliser in the 55th minute, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. Albert Murdolo stepped up to take the spot-kick, and he made no mistake, finding the back of the net to equalise. However, Mellieha’s momentum was completely shot down in the 59th minute, when they were reduced to 10 men after Kyle Sciberras was shown a second yellow card.

In the closing stages of the match, both teams were pressing in search of the all-important third goal. This led to more challenges flying in, as both sides were determined to close any gaps that they may have in the defence.

Eventually, the match finished in a 1-1 draw, with both sides taking home a point.

Elsewhere, a late rally from bottom-of-the-league Tarxien Rainbows FC was not enough to mount a comeback against Mqabba FC, with the Blues having too much to do against a vibrant Mqabba side.

Mqabba’s attack was in fine form on Wednesday, and they needed just three minutes to open the scoring, with the goal coming thanks to William Philip Agius, who struck the ball into the net.

This goal spurred Mqabba on, and they continued to chase more goals, with Tarxien wanting to avoid suffering another heavy defeat. The Rainbows defended admirably, but they could not keep the Reds’ forwards out. In fact, in the 20th minute, Mqabba made it 2-0 through Pedro Eduardo Rios Ramos. Just three minutes later, Andre Camilleri added to Mqabba’s lead with a goal of his own.

While the quickfire goals were a sucker punch to Tarxien, they remained confident in their play, and they ventured forward.

Tarxien got a goal back in the 36th minute, after the ball was inadvertently put in Mqabba’s net by Antonio Calleja, giving Tarxien a lifeline heading into half-time.

However, Mqabba pulled away after the break, primarily thanks to Waylon Grech, who scored two quickfire goals in the 59th and 62nd minutes, finding the back of the net after some excellent attacks from the Reds.

Tarxien got another goal in the 76th minute through Thomas Bird, but Mqabba responded again, this time thanks to Tahouto Cedric Gaoue.

With the score 6-2 to Mqabba, the game was practically already put to bed, but Tarxien still showed their fight, getting a late goal thanks to Kian Carbonaro. Although the goal proved to be only a consolation, it will be a positive that they will take into the upcoming matches.

BOV Youth League D - Phase 1 Matchday 5

In the BOV Youth League D, Ghaxaq FC and Victoria Hotspurs FC continued to stamp their authority as joint leaders of the league, both winning their respective matches on Thursday.

Ghaxaq faced St George's FC at Siggiewi Ground, with this being a clash between two sides who have had good starts to their respective seasons.

Ghaxaq were the ones that had the upper hand throughout large parts of the game, and the tone was set by a very early goal from Craig Deguara, who found the net after a shot went past goalkeeper Emerson Desira.

St George's tried to claw themselves back into the game, but they were struggling to get past a stubborn Ghaxaq backline.

The Greens eventually doubled their advantage in the 55th minute thanks to Clayton Pulo, who found space, before slotting the ball into the net. St George's tried to push on in search of an equaliser, but they could not do so, and Ghaxaq came away as 2-0 winners.

Elsewhere, Victoria Hotspurs secured a comfortable 4-1 win against Msida St Joseph FC to put an end to the Saints' unbeaten start to the campaign.

Victoria, who have been very impressive over the past few weeks, were in fine attacking form from the very first whistle. 27 minutes into the encounter, Adam Galea freed himself from his markers, before firing a shot past goalkeeper Jake Tabone to give the Hotspurs the lead.

Just a few minutes later, Emil Grozdanov found space, before slotting home another goal for Victoria, doubling their advantage. Msida looked for a way back into the match, but Victoria were proving too strong, not allowing Msida any room.

In the second half, the Hotspurs continued to control the match, and they added more goals to the scoreline. First it was Kurt Bajada in the 50th minute, and then in the 62nd through Chylen Fava, giving them a comfortable cushion going into the final few minutes.

The Hotspurs took their foot off the pedal in the final few minutes, looking to preserve their four-goal lead. However, Msida did manage to get a goal back in the 83rd minute, as Nicky Attard Portugese found the back of the net, but it proved to be just a consolation, with the Hotspurs getting the win.

For the full results and table standings, access the matchcentre here.