BNF U15 and U17 Leagues Review: Zurrieq, Mellieha and Marsaxlokk lift titles on final matchday

Zurrieq FC - Winners of BNF U15 League D - Photo by Timmy Cutugno

As the BNF U15 and U17 Leagues continue to come to an end, a number of battles at the top of ends of the table are coming to a close, with teams fighting for the league titles. Over the week, there was action from the BNF U15 League D, as well as the BNF U17 Leagues C and D.

BNF U15 League D – Phase 2 Matchday 5

Zurrieq FC lifted the BNF U15 League D title on Saturday, despite falling to a 4-2 defeat against Birzebbuga Windmill FC Nursery on the final day.

The league title was already confirmed for Zurrieq prior to the game, with the two sides being separated by six points ahead of the final clash.

Zurrieq named a heavily rotated team for the match, with coach Alistair Camilleri wanting to give an opportunity to more players given the title was already sewn up.

The champions got off to a stellar start, as Marta Galea Farrugia fired them in front after just seven minutes, breaking the deadlock right away.

However, Birzebbuga, who have been one of the sides to watch this season, and had already confirmed their place in next season’s BNF U15 League C together with Zurrieq, were not backing down. In the 29th minute they responded, with prolific forward Isaac Vella drawing them level with a fine finish.

The two sides went into the break with the score level, and both teams still feeling they could end the season with a win.

In the first few minutes after half-time, the match was still very even, but Zurrieq went in front again in the 60th minute thanks to Aimen Ali, who scored his fifth goal in four games.

Yet their lead would not last very long, as a few minutes later, Vella was on hand to equalise for Birzebbuga once again. In the space of a few minutes after the restart, Vella got his third of the match to complete the turnaround and seal his hat-trick.

The firing forward was not done there, as he continued to be a thorn in the Zurrieq backline, and got his fourth goal of the match in the 82nd minute to make it 4-2. As a result, he took his tally for the season up to an incredible 32 goals, being crowned the top scorer of the division.

Despite the result, Zurrieq lifted the BNF U15 League D trophy, capping off a remarkable season during which they showed their attacking qualities. The trophy was presented to them by Malta FA Vice President Adrian Casha.

Elsewhere, Zebbug Rangers FC ended the season with three points after a last-minute winner got them the victory over Siggiewi FC following a thrilling encounter.

The match was filled with action right from the very start, with the two neighbouring teams going at one another. Prior to the encounter, Zebbug were only four points above Siggiewi, and the Rangers were wary of the fact that Siggiewi had won the initial game earlier in the season.

Zebbug used this to spur them on, and they went in front after just 17 minutes, with Caleb Guzman slotting the ball past goalkeeper Keilan Jake Camilleri and into the back of the net.

Siggiewi had no time to respond to the setback, as just seconds after the restart, Zebbug were 2-0 up, with Kyle Cutajar getting his name on the scoresheet this time around.

Zebbug continued to administer their lead, and they went into the break two goals in front.

However, Siggiewi really came to life in the second-half, and they started to threaten the Zebbug backline more frequently. In the 56th minute, Siggiewi’s own Kyle Cutajar halved the deficit, getting the Stripes firmly back into the game.

In the space of a few minutes, Siggiewi got back on level terms, as Dale Bonanno broke free from the shackles of the Zebbug defence, before making it 2-2 with a tidy finish.

The match was looking like it will end in a 2-2 draw, with the win slipping away from Zebbug’s grasp. That was until the 85th minute, when Marc Agius fired the Rangers ahead to make it 3-2, earning his side all three points in the most dramatic of circumstances, sparking widespread celebrations from the Zebbug faithful.

BNF U17 League C – Phase 2 Matchday 5

In the BNF U17 League C, Mellieha SC beat Marsaskala FC in a direct top-of-the-table encounter to secure the league title and avoid having to play a decider.

Mellieha came into the game in stellar form, having been unbeaten all season, putting away many sides with relative ease. Marsaskala, who had already confirmed their promotion to League B, together with Mellieha, were looking to get one over the league leaders, end the unbeaten run on the final day, and force a decider.

However, Mellieha were determined to complete the season unbeaten, and after 17 minutes, they were presented with the perfect opportunity to go ahead. The Blues were awarded a penalty, and Layth Saeb Kuwafi was entrusted to take the spot-kick, which he calmly finished into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

In the 38th minute, Kuwafi got another chance to shoot from the spot, as Mellieha were awarded their second penalty of the game. However, this time around, the forward could not find the net and the score remained 1-0. That was until a few seconds later, as Matthew Micallef was on hand to double Mellieha’s advantage with a fine finish, ensuring the home side went into the break with a two-goal lead.

Following the break, Mellieha continued to press on, in search of another goal to ensure the win.

They got their reward in the 50th minute, as the score became 3-0 after the ball was deflected off Marsaskala’s Abdelmalek Adel Othman Omar and into his own net.

Marsaskala got a goal back in the 68th minute through Diego Zammit, yet their hopes of a fightback were extinguished only seconds later, as Andrew Mifsud went up the other end and scored the fourth goal for Mellieha, making it 4-1. Marsaskala also finished the game with a player down, as Karl Mallia was shown a second yellow card deep into stoppage time.

That was how the game ended, with Mellieha being crowned champions of the BNF U17 League C, with Marsaskala also securing promotion alongside them.

Mellieha SC - Winners of BNF U17 League C - Photo by Timmy Cutugno

At the Rabat Ajax Ground, Lija Athletic FC completed the double over Zebbug Rangers FC to make sure they end the season in third place, narrowly missing out on promotion.

The two sides came into the game with just two points separating them.

Lija drew first blood, as just 10 minutes after kick-off, they took the lead with Jayden Lee Fenech firing them in front with a cool strike that went past goalkeeper Isaac Tanti.

Zebbug put this early shock behind them, and they recovered, looking to attack Lija’s defence. However, there was no other goal in the half, with both teams cancelling each other out in the remaining 35 minutes.

Following the break, it was more of the same, as the two sides looked for the all-important second goal of the match.

Zebbug managed to equalise in the 70th minute, as Dean Grech broke free from his opposition markers, before slotting the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

However, it did not take Lija too long for them to restore their advantage. In the 79th minute, Zackery Chetcuti was on hand to put them ahead again, firing a shot into the goal.

Moments later, Zebbug’s Jayden Pace received his second yellow leaving Zebbug with 10 players for the final few minutes of the game. Lija continued to hold on to their lead, and they came away as 2-1 winners, meaning they finished the campaign on 27 points, five above Zebbug.

BNF U17 League D – Phase 2 Matchday 5

In the BNF U17 League D, there was a title-deciding match on the final day, as Marsaxlokk FC managed to narrowly beat Swieqi United to win the title.

Swieqi came into the game as favourites, particularly given they had won the initial encounter back in October, and were also a point ahead of Marsaxlokk. However, the Owls’ form had been patchy of late, while came into the match off the back of three-straight wins, scoring 18 goals in the process.

The Blues took that goalscoring form into Sunday’s encounter, and they only needed eight minutes to go ahead, with Zean Spagnol finding the back of the net.

Swieqi tried to attack the Marsaxlokk defence, which has conceded goals recently, but they could not find a way past the Blues’ backline.

That was until the 44th minute, right before half-time, as Keiran Cassar freed himself from his marker, before firing a shot past Jacopo Cialdi Paolieri to make it 1-1.

Following half-time, the game was still very much in the balance, and both teams were struggling to break the other team down. The two sides made a number of changes in the hopes of changing the complexion of the match.

As things stood, Swieqi would have emerged as winners of the competition, but Zayrak Fabri had something to say about it. Having come on at half-time, the Marsaxlokk man broke free from the Swieqi defence, before putting the ball into the back of the net in the 85th minute, sparking plenty of celebrations from the Marsaxlokk faithful.

Swieqi tried to get a late equaliser, yet Marsaxlokk held on, and they secured the win, and as a result, the BNF U17 League D title. Swieqi will join Marsaxlokk in League C next season, having secured promotion earlier in this campaign.

Marsaxlokk FC - Winners of BNF U17 League D - Photo by Timmy Cutugno

As a result, Attard FC’s resounding win over West FC was not enough for the Stripes to secure promotion, with them being unable to surpass Swieqi’s 36-point tally.

The match, played at Dingli Ground, was filled with goals from start to finish, with both teams scoring very early on.

West took the lead after just seven minutes, as prolific forward Nathan Sciberras fired his side in front. However, Attard responded almost instantly, as Jean Gharzeddin broke free from his markers, before putting the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Following the equaliser, Attard really hit their stride, and they started to mount a series of attacks on the West, which has been leaking goals of late. Kluivert Debono put Attard in front in the 14th minute, before Ari Ghazaryan Olson was on hand to make it 3-1 to the Stripes.

After the break, Attard did not take their foot off the pedal, and they continued to attack the West backline.

Ethan Camilleri made it 4-1 in the 61st minute. This was followed by a strike from Kieran Zammit Gaffarena to continue to add to the scoring.

With the game already dead and buried, Matthew Zammit popped up with a goal in the 87th minute to make it 6-1, completing a sensational win for Attard to mark the final day.

For the full results and table standings, check out the match centre by clicking here.