APS Bank Under 16 Section A

Sliema W 3

Paola H 1

A very keenly contested game ably controlled by young and promising referee Andrè Sciriha. The blues deserved the victory, as they were the better side throughout the game.

Sliema created the first occasion: Clifford Gatt Baldacchino put Fabian Debono through but Hibs, keeper Benjamin Fleri Soler saved his grounder. ove oveDebono then put Matt

On 15 minutes Hibs opened the score when Zammit crossed to Gary Inguanez who netted from close range.

Blues’ keeper Henry Bonello turned to corner a free kick by Kenward Mifsud and a shot by Osbert Ellul missed Sliema’s upright. Fleri Soler foiled Debono with a timely sortie after a Mark Spiteri through pass.

In the first minute of added time in the first period Sliema equalised. John Mintoff crossed to Gatt Baldacchino who netted with a rising shot from inside the area.

Sliema resumed their pressure after the resumption. Fleri Soler turned to corner a Ciantar shot after a John Mintoff cross and also saved in two attempts a Gatt Baldacchino free kick.

In a Hibs rare attack, Azzopardi put Desira Buttigieg through but Bonello saved his weak shot.

On 58 minutes Sliema took the lead; Ciantar put Debono through and the ball from the latter’s shot was deflected into Paola’s net by defender Daniel Baldacchino, and three minutes before the end Sliema put the issue beyond any doubt with a third goal scored by Ciantar after a John Mintoff cross.

Referee: Andre` Sciriha.

Player of Match: John Mintoff (Sliema W)

Under 16 Section B

Hamrun S 0

Marsa 1

A first minute goal decided the issue in this derby. The Spartans had more of the exchanges but Marsa goalie Keith Brincat was in an unbeatable mood affecting some fine saves.

The Red-Blues opened the score in the first minute. Nicholas Zammit put Warren Chircop through who placed the ball past Spartans’ keeper Ryan Mangion from close range.

Refalo then drove over the bar off a Gilmour Micallef through ball. At the other end, Chircop crossed to Branden Spiteri and a Spartans defender cleared his shot to corner.

Hamrun resumed their pressure: Caruana crossed to Abela but failed the killer touch with only Brincat to beat. Mifsud passed to Branden Borg but Brincat saved his hard grounder.

In a last fling by Hamrun, from a Mifsud flag kick, Brincat turned to another corner a Refalo header.

Referee: Twanny Pace

Player of Match: Keith Brincat (Marsa)