APS Bank Under 16 Section A

Sliema 0

Floriana 0

A very keen Old Firm clash played on a windy Saturday afternoon. Floriana created more occasions in the first period when playing against the wind with Sliema doing likewise in the second.

The first occasion was a blatant mistake by the referee when Foriana defender, Andre Spiteri, back passed to keeper, Jurgen Micallef who handled the ball and the referee waved play on. Blues keeper Henry Bonello had to drive and save a hand grounded by Dean Demanuele, at the ither end, Micallef neutralized a cross by Clayton Mizzi and also saved on John Mintoff.

Bonello then partially saved on Duncan Pisani, with the ball being cleared after the latter dribbled his way past two defenders.

Micallef effected a good save to corner on a shot by John Mintoff and Bonello saved on Warren Bartolo after a Dylan Coppola through ball and also saved on the same player after an Andrew Mifsud cross.

The second period was also action-packed. Bonello saved a free kick shot by Pisani. Micallef saved twice in succession on Matthew Cianta. Bonello then saved on Mifsud after pouncing on a faulty clearance. Clayton Mizzi was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Pisani in the 63rd minute.

An insidious cross by Marc Tabone Ferrante was well neutralized by Micallef who has not been beaten for 400 minutes.

In a Floriana counter attack, Dean Demanuele nearly sealed the issue but Bonello tipped the ball over the bar with a grand one-handed save on 70 minutes and five minutes later he was forced to dive to save a 30 metre free kick shot by Andre Spiteri.

Referee: Malcolm Cutajar.

Player of match: Jurgen Micallef (Floriana)

APS Bank under 16 section C

Mqabba 0

Sta Venera 3

Sta Venera registered a fifth win ain a row, their last defeat dates back to October, while Mqabba suffered a sixth defeat and are anchored at bottom place on four points.

The Saints took an early second-minute lead through Mark Mifsud who drove past Mqabba keeper Alex Borg after a Beppe Vella through ball.

There were only four further actions worthy of note throughout the first 40 minutes.

Saints keeper Mark Falzon neutralized a cross by Mervin Pace and a Jurgen Farrugia cross was cleared by a Saints defender.

At the other end, a Vella cross found no takers in Mqabbaís area and with a timely sortie Saintsí keeper Falzon failed Jurgen Farrugia after a Joseph Fenech through ball.

The second period was a cabbon copy of the first. On 51 minutes Sta Venera doubled with a free-kick shot by Melvin Formosa after an Mqabba defender handled the ball outside the area. The Saints continued pressing their opponents; a shot by Julian Grima missed the upright after a Karl Carabott cross. Alex Borg then partially saved on Mark Mifsud, with the ball being cleared after a Grima cross.

On 63 minutes Sta Venera scored their third and final goal through Carabott after receiving the ball from a long throw-in by Grima, and six minutes later Mqabba were ordered to ten men as substitute Hubert Farrugia was shown the red card for hitting at an opponent.

Referee: Manuel Calleja

Player of Match: Julian Grima (Sta Venera)