2018–19 Maltese FA Trophy

The 2018–19 Maltese FA Trophy was the 81st edition of the football cup competition. A record number of 67 clubs competed in the FA Trophy, with the first round starting on the weekend of 1–2 September 2018 and concluding with the final played on 18 May 2019.[1]

2018–19 Maltese FA Trophy
Balzan team celebrating with the FA Trophy
Tournament details
CountryMalta
Dates1 September 2018 – 18 May 2019
Teams67
Defending championsValletta
Final positions
ChampionsBalzan (1st title)
Runner-upValletta
Tournament statistics
Matches played66
Goals scored257 (3.89 per match)
All statistics correct as of 19 May 2019.

Valletta were the defending champions, but lost in the final to Balzan on penalties, the latter winning their first ever FA Trophy title.[2]

Format edit

The clubs in the Premier League, First Division, Second Division and Third Division together with those from the Gozo Football League are involved in the draws of the initial rounds. The 14 top-flight sides enter the fray in the third round. Matches which are level after regulation advanced to extra time and afterwards to penalties to determine a winner, when needed.

Clubs entering in this round Clubs advancing from previous round
Preliminary round
(16 clubs)
  • N/A
First round
(18 clubs)
  • 8 winners from Preliminary round
Second round
(36 clubs)
  • 9 winners from First round
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 18 winners from Second round
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 16 winners from Third round
Quarter-finals
(8 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 8 winners from Fourth round
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 4 winners from Quarter-finals
Final
(2 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 2 winners from Semi-finals

Schedule edit

The draws were made on 6 August 2018 and were conducted by Dr. Angelo Chetcuti, the General Secretary of the Malta Football Association, and Rodney Pisani, the Deputy General Secretary of the Association who leads the Competitions Department.[1]

Round Date(s) Draw date Number of fixtures Clubs
Preliminary round 1–2 September 2018 6 August 2018 8 67 → 59
First round 8–9 September 2018 9 59 → 50
Second round 26–28 October 2018 18 50 → 32
Third round 30 November and 2 December 2018 5 November 2018 16 32 → 16
Fourth round 26–27 January 2019 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 23 February, 4–5 May 2019 29 January 2019 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 7–8 May 2019 5 May 2019 2 4 → 2
Final 12 May 2019 1 2 → 1

Preliminary round edit

Eight preliminary round matches were played on 31 August till 2 September 2018. The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held on 6 August 2018.[1]

31 August 2018 Oratory Youths  0–8 Għajnsielem   Xewkija
18:00 CEST Report Naby   5', 58'
Luis Andre   7', 19', 31', 52', 83'
Belhadj   39'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Massimo Axisa
31 August 2018 Munxar Falcons  0–4 Nadur Youngsters   Xewkija
20:00 CEST Report
  • de Jesus Messias   48', 88'
  • Barbosa   50', 74'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha
1 September 2018 St. Lawrence Spurs  0–2 Għaxaq (4) Kerċem
18:00 CEST Report
  • Calleja   47'
  • Agius   62'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Mario Apap
1 September 2018 Marsaskala (4)0–4 Dingli Swallows (4) Ta' Qali
19:00 CEST Report
  • Vassallo   35'
  • Borg   45'
  • Ciantar   87'
  • Schembri   90+1'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
1 September 2018 Sannat Lions   2–0Ta' Xbiex (4)Kerċem
20:00 CEST
  • Okpokwu   19', 78'
Report Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Andrea Schiriha
2 September 2018 Qala Saints  1–3 Għargħur (4) Kerċem
18:00 CEST
  • Buttigieg   28'
Report
  • Tasic   14', 42' (pen.)
  • Izuchukwu   68'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Kurt Saliba
2 September 2018 Victoria Wanderers   10–0Mtarfa (4)Xewkija
18:00 CEST
  • Djordjevic   18' (pen.), 70', 78'
  • Obaje   39', 80', 88'
  • Bamba   23'
  • Adesina   20'
  • Harland   32'
  • Cardona   86'
Report Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Keith Montebello
2 September 2018 Victoria Hotspurs   8–0Msida St. Joseph (4)Xewkija
20:00 CEST
  • Maciel   10', 80', 82'
  • Mizzi   61', 65'
  • Elton   52', 57'
  • Debrincat   50'
Report Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Daniel Casha

First round edit

Nine first round matches were played on 8-9 September 2018. The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 6 August 2018.[1]

6 September 2018 Għarb Rangers   2–1Xgħajra Tornadoes (4)Xewkija
18:00 CEST Attard   19', 22' Report Degiorgio   63' Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Joseph Scerri
6 September 2018 Għajnsielem  0–2 Xewkija Tigers   Xewkija
20:00 CEST Report
  • Bugeja   30'
  • Stojanovic   41'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Paul Toledo
8 September 2018 Żurrieq (4)0–4 Nadur Youngsters   St. Paul's Bay
18:00 CEST Report
  • Bustos   45' (pen.)
  • Barbosa   60', 72'
  • de Jesus Messias   68'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli
8 September 2018 Kirkop United (4) 2–1Kerċem Ajax  St. Paul's Bay
20:15 CEST
  • Darboe   67'
  • Degiorgio   90+3'
Report
  • Komljenovi   27'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha
9 September 2018 Dingli Swallows (4)1–2 Sannat Lions   St. Paul's Bay
18:00 CEST
  • Scerri   16'
Report
  • Tabone   39'
  • Okpokwu   67' (pen.)
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Etienne Antoine Mangion
9 September 2018 Victoria Wanderers  0–0 (a.e.t.)
(1–4 p)
Għaxaq (4) Xewkija
18:00 CEST Report Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha
Penalties
  • Monday  
  • Dpordevic  
  • Bamba  
  •   Calleja
  •   Vella
  •   Micallef
  •   Agius
9 September 2018 Victoria Hotspurs   4–1Attard (4)Xewkija
18:00 CEST
  • Mizzi   4', 55'
  • Camilleri   64'
  • Maciel   80'
Report
  • Spiteri   35'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
9 September 2018 Żebbuġ Rovers  0–1 Mdina Knights (4) Kerċem
18:00 CEST Report
  • Vella   57'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
9 September 2018 Għargħur (4) 3–1Xagħra United  St. Paul's Bay
20:15 CEST
  • Zammit   31', 75'
  • Tasic   90+5'
Report
  • Camilleri   42' (pen.)
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech

Second round edit

Eighteen second round matches were played on 26 and 28 October 2018. The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 6 August 2018.[1] AAll teams from Maltese First Division and Maltese Second Division entered in the Second round.

26 October 2018 Mellieħa (3) 2–0Kalkara (3)Ħamrun
18:00 CEST
  • Wayne Chetcuti   63'
  • David Fenech   90+2'
Report Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Andrea Sciriha
26 October 2018 Kirkop United (4)1–2 (a.e.t.) Vittoriosa Stars (2) Pembroke
19:00 CEST
  • Caruana   90+3' (pen.)
Report
  • Cilia   50'
  • Marcelo De Souza   98'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
Referee: Alex Johnson
26 October 2018 Gudja United (2) 2–1Sirens (2)Ħamrun
20:15 CEST
  • Ratko Mandic   48' (o.g.)
  • Kooh Sohna Rafael   81'
Report Luka Mijic   47' Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Mario Apap
27 October 2018 St. George's (3)0–4 Lija Athletic (2) Pembroke
15:00 CEST Report
  • Beu   26'
  • Mintoff   38'
  • Azzopardi   43'
  • Schembri   90+1'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
Referee: Daniel Casha
27 October 2018 St. Venera Lightnings (3)0–3 Pembroke Athleta (2) St. Paul's Bay
15:00 CEST Report
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
27 October 2018 Mġarr United (3)1–2 San Ġwann (2) Pembroke
17:15 CEST
  • Aquilina   71'
Report
  • Tanti   26'
  • Pompeo   31'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
27 October 2018 Xewkija Tigers   6–1Mqabba (2)Gozo
16:00 CEST
Report
  • Micallef   71'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Glenn Tonna
27 October 2018 Marsa (2) 5–1Għargħur (4)St. Paul's Bay
17:15 CEST
  • Gauci   16' (pen.)
  • De Fex   19'
  • Farrugia   68'
  • Busuttil   71' (pen.)
  • Friggieri   78'
Report
  • Bonello   28'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli
28 October 2018 Melita (3) 1–0Swieqi United (2)Pembroke
17:15 CEST
  • Gatt   64'
Report Stadium: Luxol Stadium
Referee: Darryl Agius
28 October 2018 Sannat Lions  0–3 Qrendi (2) Gozo
14:00 CEST Report
  • Vargas   28'
  • Zarb   45'
  • Abela   73'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Shaun Calleja
28 October 2018 Żebbuġ Rangers (2) 1–0Marsaxlokk (3)Ħamrun
15:00 CEST
  • Micallef   85'
Report Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
28 October 2018 Naxxar Lions (2)1–2 Żejtun Corinthians (2) Ħamrun
17:15 CEST
  • Bonnici   62'
Report
  • Castano   20'
  • Farrugia   60'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Aleksander Jovanovic
28 October 2018 Victoria Hotspurs  1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–6 p)
Siġġiewi (3) Gozo
16:15 CEST
  • Mercieca   3'
Report
  • Nikolic   62'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
Penalties
  • Maciel  
  • Mercieca  
  • Lattes  
  • Vella  
  • Elton  
  • Bajada  
  • Mizzi  
  •   Nikolic
  •   Buhagiar
  •   Grech
  •   Ciappara
  •   Camilleri
  •   Magri
  •   Formosa
28 October 2018 Mdina Knights (4) 2–1 (a.e.t.)Għarb Rangers  St. Paul's Bay
15:00 CEST
  • Nunez   75' (o.g.)
  • Sciberras   105'
Report
  • Shkjau   57'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Massimo Axisa
28 October 2018 Luqa St. Andrew's (3)0–5 Rabat Ajax (3) St. Paul's Bay
17:15 CEST Report
  • Abela   11'
  • Azzopardi   50'
  • Scholey   89', 90'
  • Muscat   90+1'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Paul Toledo
28 October 2018 Fgura United (3) 4–1 (a.e.t.)Għaxaq (4)Pembroke
15:00 CEST
  • Sell   72', 95', 120'
  • Borg   110'
Report
  • Ellul   51'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha
28 October 2018 Santa Lucia (2)2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)
Birżebbuġa St. Peter's (3) Ta' Qali
17:15 CEST
  • Lapira   16'
  • Borg   42'
Report
  • Pirotta   70', 77'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Penalties
  • Adebayo  
  • Mendonza  
  •   Camilleri
  •   Cutajar
  •   Micallef
  •   Pedrosa
28 October 2018 Żabbar St. Patrick (3)0–7 Nadur Youngsters   Ta' Qali
15:00 CEST Report
  • Daniel Mateo Bustos   12', 42'
  • De Jesus Messias   26', 82'
  • Lagana   45' (o.g.)
  • Barboso   47' (pen.)
  • Tabone   60'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace

Third round edit

Sixteen third round matches were played on 30 November and 3 December 2018. The draw for the third and fourth rounds was held 5 November 2018. All teams from Maltese Premier League entered in Third round. The top six position from 2017-18 Maltese Premier League teams that are seeded in the third round of the FA Trophy. A total of thirty-two clubs will be involved in the draw.

30 November 2018 Birżebbuġa St. Peter's (3)0–5 Żebbuġ Rangers (2) Ta' Qali
18:00 CEST Ryan Micallef   9'
Thiago Rocha Rodrigo   27', 50'
Ze Lucas Caetano   31', 74'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
30 November 2018 Qormi (1)1–5 Hibernians (1) Ta' Qali
19:00 CEST Manolito Micallef   50' (pen.) Taylon Nicolas Correa   11', 13', 16'
Jurgen Degabriele   60'
Isaac Ntow   88'
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace
30 November 2018 Mdina Knights (4)1–4 Pietà Hotspurs (1) Ta' Qali
20:15 CEST Cachel Vella   88' Shunsuke Nakamura   33', 64'
Jan Bussuttil   57'
James Scicluna   90+1' (pen.)
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Ismael Barbara
1 December 2018 Gżira United (1) 4–0Rabat Ajax (3)Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Corbalan Juan Carlos   37', 66'
Andrew Cohen  79'
Zachary Scerri   83'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
1 December 2018 San Ġwann (2)0–1 Fgura United (3) Ħamrun
14:00 CEST Thomas Grech   77' Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Alex Johnson
1 December 2018 Balzan (1) 5–1Qrendi (2)Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Kadu Carlos Eduardo Mendes   10'
Andrija Majdevac   17', 43', 72'
Correa Duarte Ricardo   30'
Ciro Quaranta   24' Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Matthew De Gabbrielle
1 December 2018 Siġġiewi (3)1–3 Melita (3) Ħamrun
16:15 CEST Kim Buhagiar   78' Luke Mifsud   40', 83'
Karl Mohnani   63' (pen.)
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli
2 December 2018 Floriana (1)0–1 Ħamrun Spartans (1) Ta' Qali
16:00 CEST Wilfried Domoraud   31' Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
2 December 2018 Nadur Youngsters  0–4 Birkirkara (1) Xewkija
14:00 CEST Marcelinho de Siquiera Henrique   28'
Danilo Quipapa Chapoval   30'
Petar Orlandic   49'
Paul Fenech   62'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
2 December 2018 Marsa (2)0–3 Valletta (1) Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Jean Borg   19'
Miguel Alba   52' (pen.)
Matteo Piccollo   59'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Etienne Antoine Mangion
2 December 2018 Mellieħa (3)0–5 Lija Athletic (2) Ħamrun
16:15 CEST Paolo Dandolo   3'
Koken Kuroki   8'
Andrea Azzopardi   42', 59'
Gabriel Borg   52'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
2 December 2018 Gudja United (2)1–2 (a.e.t.) Xewkija Tigers   Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Siqueira Jackson Lima   28' Milos Stojanovic   57'
Cadu Antonio Claudio Pavlidis   104' (pen.)
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Glen Tonna
2 December 2018 Pembroke Athleta (2)0–2 Żejtun Corinthians (2) Ħamrun
16:15 CEST Edson Cardona   21', 30' Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Philipp Farrugia
2 December 2018 Sliema Wanderers (1) 2–0St. Andrews (1)Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Frank Temile   32'
Jefferson Mateus de Assis   48'
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Darryl Agius
3 December 2018 Vittoriosa Stars (2)0–3 Tarxien Rainbows (1) Ta' Qali
18:00 CEST Ricardinho Faria da Silva   17'
Andre' Scicluna   45'
Michele Paolucci   52' (pen.)
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech
3 December 2018 Senglea Athletic (1)2–3 (a.e.t.) Mosta (1) Ta' Qali
20:15 CEST Caseres Augusto Rene   7'
Braian Volpini   13'
Romeu Pericles Romao   22' (pen.)
Rafael Morisco   39'
Juri Cisotti   114'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Mario Apap

Fourth round edit

Eight fourth round matches were played on 26–27 January 2019. The draw for the third and fourth rounds was held 5 November 2018. In the Fourth Round there were 10 clubs from Maltese Premier League, 3 clubs from Maltese First Division, 2 clubs from Maltese Second Division and 1 club (Xewkija Tigers) from Gozo Football League left.

26 January 2019 Hibernians (1) 4–0Fgura United (3)Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Tiago Adan Fonseca   4', 78'
Taylon Nicolas Correa   33'
Dunston Vella   54'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace
26 January 2019 Pietà Hotspurs (1) 2–0Żejtun Corinthians (2)Paola
14:00 CEST Christian Degabriele   55'
Paul Chimezie   75'
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
26 January 2019 Mosta (1) 2–1Sliema Wanderers (1)Paola
16:00 CEST Kyle Frendo   21'
Claude Davy Angan   50'
Younes Marzouk   41' Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
26 January 2019 Tarxien Rainbows (1) 5–0Żebbuġ Rangers (2)Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Arab Siraj   19'
Michele Paolucci   25', 59', 65'
Jens Wemmer   61'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Ismael Barbara
27 January 2019 Balzan (1) 6–1Xewkija Tigers  Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Correa Duarte Ricardo   30', 58', 74'
Aleksandar Kosoric   35'
Andrija Majdevac   39'
Steve Pisani   66'
Daniel Bogdanović   16' Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
27 January 2019 Gżira United (1) 4–2Melita (3)Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Haruna Garba   13', 61', 76'
Andrew Cohen   59' (pen.)
Michael Cachia   29'
Andrew Spiteri   42'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Alex Johnson
27 January 2019 Birkirkara (1) 2–1Ħamrun Spartans (1)Ta' Qali
16:00 CEST Jorge Pereira   47'
Marcelo Henrique  72' (pen.)
Eduardo Dos Santos   40' (o.g.) Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Glenn Tonna
27 January 2019 Lija Athletic (2)1–7 Valletta (1) Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Erjon Beu   25' Jonathan Caruana   10'
Mario Fontanella   17', 57'
Matteo Picciolo   18'
Bojan Kaljevic   50'
Miguel Alba   60', 71'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Mario Apap

Quarter-finals edit

Four quarter-final matches were scheduled for 23 and 24 February 2019. The draw for the quarter-finals was held 29 January 2019.[3] The eight clubs left were all from the Premier League. On 23 February 2019, four quarter-final matches were postponed amid safety concerns caused by the inclement weather, warnings of gale-force winds and hail-storm.[4] The first FA Trophy quarter-final match between Pietà Hotspurs and Gżira United, at the Hibernians Stadium, was abandoned by referee Emanuel Grech in the 88th minute, and finished on 3 May 2019 at Ta' Qali National Stadium, 19:00, from the point of abandonment.[5][6]

23 February 2019 Pietà Hotspurs (1)1–2 (a.e.t.) Gżira United (1) Paola and Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium and Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech
3 May 2019 Mosta (1)1–2 Birkirkara (1) Ta' Qali
20:00 CEST
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Philipp Farrugia
3 May 2019 Tarxien Rainbows (1)0–2 Balzan (1) Paola
19:00 CEST
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
8 May 2019 Hibernians (1)2–3 (a.e.t.) Valletta (1) Ta' Qali
18:30 CEST
  • Kaljević   74', 102'
  • Pulis   84'
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace

Semi-finals edit

Two semi-final matches were played on 11 and 12 May 2019 at National Stadium, Ta' Qali. The draw for the semi-finals was held on 3 May 2019.[7]

11 May 2019 Balzan (1) 3–2Birkirkara (1)Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Attendance: 750
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
12 May 2019 Gżira United (1)0–2 Valletta (1) Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Alan Mario Sant

Final edit

The final took place on 18 May 2019; Balzan reached their second FA Trophy final while Valletta reached their 24th final which they triumphed 14 times. The last time Balzan and Valletta met together in the FA Trophy was the previous season in the semi-finals when Valletta beat Balzan by 2–1.

18 May 2019 Balzan (1) 4–4 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Valletta (1)Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST
Report
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Attendance: 4,024
Referee: Mario Apap

Television rights edit

The following matches were broadcast live on TVM2 and on TSN (offered by GO):

Round TVM2 and TSN TSN
Third Round Sliema Wanderers vs St. Andrews Floriana vs Ħamrun Spartans
Fourth Round Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans
Quarter-finals Hibernians vs Valletta
Semi-finals Balzan vs Birkirkara

Gżira United vs Valletta

Final Balzan vs Valletta

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Record 67 teams to compete in this season's FA Trophy". MFA. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  2. ^ Camilleri, Valhmor (18 May 2019). "Watch: Effiong scores four as Balzan win first-ever FA Trophy". Times of Malta. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Hibs-Valletta headlines FA Trophy quarter-final draw". Malta Football Association. 29 January 2019.
  4. ^ "FA Trophy quarter-final matches on Sunday postponed due to the inclement weather". The Malta Independent. 23 February 2019.
  5. ^ Farrugia, Simon (23 February 2019). "Malta FA Trophy: Pieta-Gżira match abandoned in 88th minute due to heavy hailstorm, score 1-1". The Malta Independent.
  6. ^ "FA Trophy quarter-finals moved to May 3, 4". Times of Malta. 28 February 2019.
  7. ^ "FA Trophy semi-final draws". MaltaFootball.com. 3 May 2019.

External links edit