ROBERT BUSUTTIL

New VMFA Cisk Premier League leaders MFPA face a daunting task as they meet Hibernians Veterans in the most awaited clash of match day 12.

The Malta Football Players Association managed to climb first in the table as they took advantage of Birkirkara St Helen’s and Gżira’s defeat in the last match day. After a rather disappointing start, Carlo Mamo’s boys have found their strength and will face their future encounters with a positive mood. Moreover their talisman player Roderick Bajada is helping his team as he netted 11 goals during this season.

Hibernians will be a tough nut to crack for MFPA. The Paolites are playing some positive football although lady luck was not always on their side. They are coming from a smart victory over Żurrieq Wolves. In the first round they prevailed 6-2 against MFPA.

Birkirkara St Helen’s look to return to winning ways as they meet Luxol St Andrews. The latter have a high morale after winning their last encounter against Gżira United 5-4.

The Stripes are ready to start another positive streak although they know that each match from now on will be like a final.

In the first round, Birkirkara won 6-1.

Gżira United Veterans also want to return to winning ways as they cross swords with Żejtun Red Stars. The Maroons were disappointed as they lost their match against Luxol 5-4.. Despite all this, Gżira will up their game and give a hard match to the Red Stars who were also on the losing end in their last encounter against Rabat Veterans.

In their first meeting back in November, Żejtun Red Stars edged Gżira United 5-4.

In another match to be played this week, Rabat Veterans want to extend their winning streak as they face Żurrieq Wolves. The Magpies managed to return to winning ways in style as they defeated Żejtun Red Stars 7-4. Adam Smeir managed to resume his top form as he has already netted 13 goals during this season.

Żurrieq Wolves managed to take the first three points a fortnight ago against Luxol but had to succumb to their tenth defeat of the season after a 3-2 scoreline against Hibernians.

Meanwhile in the first round, Rabat prevailed 4-2 against the Wolves.

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

MFPA 23, Gżira United, Birkirkara St Helen’s 22, Hibernians 18, Luxol 16, Rabat Veterans 13 , Żejtun Red Stars 12, Żurrieq Wolves 3

DEEM CAMILLERI

Matchday 11 of the Cisk Veterans Premier League took place this week with a top of the table clash between MFPA and Birkirkara St.Helens being the pick of the bunch as the most anticipated of all the
matches.

Birkirkara came into the game joint first after their tight encounter with Hibernians in the previous gameweek.

MFPA, however, came with confidence as they humbled Gzira 8-2 in their last match. Overall, it was a cagey affair with not much creativity coming from either side but eventually MFPA prevailed with a 3-1 win thanks to a brace from Thomas Paris ,followed by a goal in the name of Roderick Bajada. Ayrton Buhagiar was the sole player to score for the losing team.

The other game from tonight was yet another close affair between struggling Zurrieq Wolves and Hibernians. Mauro Brincat being the main reason for Hibernians win as he scored a brace whilst Ilia Nazarov scored the other solitary goal, which deserved of being the winner of any game of football as he scored an outstanding bicycle kick, to ensure a hard-earned three points for Hibernians who now move up to fourth and only five points away from the top spot. The goals from last place Zurrieq came through Robert Zammit and Alistair Camilleri.

The games from last night were more open as we saw a flurry of goals from both games. The night kicked off with an enticing eleven goal thriller between Rabat and Zejtun Red Stars, in favour of the team from the North as they came back from 2-1 down after halftime to win with a comprehensive 7-4 result. Ibrahim Tarek and Adam Smeir were the heros of the night as they scored a hat trick and a brace respectively while Timothy Zammit and Dylan Falzon also contributed to the Whites’ victory. A brace each from Nikolai Filipov and Matthew Borg were the other goals for the losing side.

The final game of yesterday night was an important one as Gzira looked to cement their grip on first place, however, they have fallen short of this objective as they fell to a narrow 5-4 loss against mid table Luxol. A brace from Manolito Micallef and solitary goals from Micheal Galea, Mauro Camoranesi and Luke Satariano proved enough to beat aspiring title winners Gzira who despite the best efforts Ian Zammit especially, with him managing to score a hat trick, and also a goal from Shaun Bajada, proved nothing in their efforts to obtain a vital three points.

Due to this result between Gzira and Luxol, and MFPAs win over the other title Contenders Birkirkara, MFPA have now reached the top of the table and find themselves ahead of their rivals Birkirkara and Gzira by a single point as it’s all looking the more likely that the race for the title will be closer than ever this year.

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

MFPA 23, Gżira United, Birkirkara St Helen’s 22, Hibernians 18, Luxol 16, Rabat Veterans 13 , Żejtun Red Stars 12, Żurrieq Wolves 3

Champions MFPA face a tough test ahead as they meet in-form Birkirkara St Helen’s on match day 11 of the VMFA Cisk Premier League.

The Malta Football Players Association started badly their campaign and were even in the lower part of the table but a series of positive results helped them to climb further up in the standings. Moreover their player Mark Barbara was inspirational for his team as he netted ten goals till now.

Even Birkirkara St Helen’s are passing from a bright patch as they are sharing the first position with Gżira United. The Stripes recovered well after their defeat against Gżira as they edged Hibernians 6-5 in their last outing. They are enjoying a two-point advantage over their opponents in the table.

In the first round, they shared the spoils in an entertaining 3-3 scoreline.

Gżira United hope to return to winning ways as they face Luxol. The Maroons are coming from an 8-2 defeat against MFPA and have to pay attention to Luxol who are searching for precious points to climb further in the table. The latter started very well their commitments but a series of negative results put them further down in the table. They managed to recover well after winning Rabat Veterans 7-5.

In the first round, both teams shared the spoils in a 5-5 draw.

Hibernians are ready to recover from their unlucky defeat against Birkirkara St Helen’s as they meet Żurrieq Wolves. The Paolites gave a good account of themselves as they battled in their last match but had to succumb to a last-gasp goal defeat.

Żurrieq managed to get the first three points of the season after winning against Luxol but failed to repeat the same feat against Żejtun Red Stars as they lost 6-2.
In the first round, Hibs won 2-0.

Żejtun Red Stars and Rabat Veterans need a win as they cross swords in another interesting encounter. Both clubs failed to live up to their expectations although at least the Red Stars are coming from a good victory against Żurrieq.

On their part, Rabat have conceded six defeats although their defence seems to be their most vulnerable point as they conceded 54 goals.

In the first round, Rabat won 4-1.

DEEM CAMILLERI

Champions MFPA maintained their momentum in the VMFA Cisk Premier League as they stunned leaders Gżira United. The Maroons succumbed to a 8-2 humbling from their opponents MFPA who outclassed their opponents in every department.

The main protagonists for the winning side were Aleksander Ribic and Roderick Bajada as they scored a hat trick and a brace respectively while Mark Barbara, Jonathan Bondin and Gareth Sciberras added to the flurry of goals.

Goals from Valdo Alinho and Andrew Xuereb proved to be fruitless for the losing side as they lose their advantage on first place, with MFPA now moving within a shoulder distance off the top spot.
Luxol obtained three important points as they won 7-5 against Rabat in an entertaining game to say the least.

Birkirkara took on Hibernians in a bid to apply pressure on Gzira. Birkirkara were successful in this challenge as they secured a narrow 6-5 victory over Hibs and now are back as joint leaders along their rivals Gzira.

Malcolm Bugeja the talisman of the day with a comprehensive hat trick and a goal each from Christian Caruana, Daniel Cremona and Ayrton Buhagiar being just enough for the three points. The goals from an unlucky Hibernians side were scored by Alan Tabone (x2), Glenn Bonello, Ilia Nazarov, and Jeffrey Chetcuti.

Luxol seemed to be running away with the game as they were winning comfortably with a 5-1 advantage but Rabat managed to fight back and get on level terms. However, two more goals without reply from Luxol were enough to seal the win.

Michael Galea was once again the hero for the purples as he scored a hat trick while his teammates Manolito Micallef(x2), Mauro Camoranesi, and Micheal Borg Olivier also helped in securing the win. On the other hand, Rabat showed great courage to come back with goals from Dylan Falzon (x2), Adam Smeir, Kevin Loughborough and Joseph Caruana but it all came down to nothing for Rabat today.

Żejtun Red Stars won the bottom of the table clash against Zurrieq Wolves 6-2.

The game started off as a quite even contest as the sides went into half time tied 2-2 but after the break Zejtun clicked into upper gear as they ran away with the game. Renjos Farrugia (x2), Pierre Spiteri, Charlo Debattista, Ryan Theuma and a Jurgen Mifsud own goal helped in securing the win for the Red stars. Ahmed Trabelsi and Christian Bezzina were the other two on the scoresheet albeit on the losing side.

Leaders Gżira United face a tough test on match day 10 of the VMFA Cisk Premier League as they meet champions MFPA. The Maroons are coming from a very positive patch as they saw off Birkirkara St Helen’s 8-6 in a very entertaining encounter. They are the most consistent team till now and their summit in the table is no coincidence.

On their part, MFPA have gained ground after a negative start as they have won precious points that put them only five points from their opponents.

In the first round, Gżira won 8-5.

Birkirkara hope to return to winning ways as they meet Hibernians. The latter are improving as they had a really positive outing against Żejtun Red Stars which they won 4-2. Players such as Adrian Lanzon, Glenn Bonello, Jeffrey Chetcuti and Alan Tabone are leaving a positive impact on their team.

Birkirkara will be ready to grab the points that matter as they hope to repeat the first round performance which they won 6-3 against the same Paolites.

Żurrieq Wolves are high in morale as they managed to break their duck last week after a 5-3 victory over Luxol. Their opponents will be Żejtun Red Stars who on the other hand, are finding it hard to play their typical game. There is no clear favourite for this match which seems will be a balanced one.

In the first round, Żejtun saw off Żurrieq 6-4.

In the duel between two teams who lately have disappointed, Luxol take on Rabat Veterans. Both clubs are on the 10-point mark in the table. Their recent results weren’t that good as Luxol had to succumb to a 5-3 defeat against Żurrieq while Rabat had no answer to MFPA’s attack as they had to come up with an 8-1 defeat.

In the first round, Rabat Veterans beat Luxol 5-4

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

Gżira United 22, Birkirkara St Helen’s 19, MFPA 17, Hibernians 15, Rabat Veterans, Luxol 10 , Żejtun Red Stars 9, Żurrieq Wolves 3

DEEM CAMILLERI

Gżira are the sole leaders of the VMFA CISK Premier League as they saw off a mighty Birkirkara St Helen’s side 8-6.

It was an interesting game as Gzira seemed to be running away with it in the first half with a brace from Ian Zammit and also Valdo but Ayrton Buhagiar pulled Birkirkara back into it with a brace himself. From there on in, the game was highly competitive but Gzira managed to tug away from their opponents as they came out with an 8-6 win. Valdo scoring yet another brace to make it a poker while Ian Zammit got another for the hat trick and Trevor Cilia scoring from the spot to make matters worse for Birkirkara who had Ayrton Buhagiar as their main protagonist as he went on to score a poker and had one of his many shots throughout the game, deflected and going in as an autogoal.
With this result, Gzira are now first in the table, three points above their opponents.

Champions MFPA ran rampant with an 8-1 win over a disappointing Rabat. Mark Barbara was the star of the show alongside Carlo Mamo as they scored a poker and a brace respectively while Roderick Bajada and Stephen Wellman also joined the party with a goal to their name. Timothy zammit was the only goalscorer for Rabat as they only managed to score once in a game where they found themselves simply outclassed by an outstanding MFPA performance.

Zurrieq Wolves grabbed their first win of the season with a 5-3 win over Luxol.
Ahmed Trabelsi and Mario Camilleri scoring a brace each whilst Roderick Caruana also added to Zurrieq’s tally. A goal each from Manolito Micallef, Mauro Camoranesi and Micheal Borg Olivier wasn’t enough for the Luxol side as they fell to a rather surprising loss when looking at the table.

There was also an enticing clash between Hibernians and Zejtun Redstars with the former managing to beat the team from Zejtun. Alan Tabone, Glenn Bonello, Adrian Lanzon and Jeffrey Chetcuti all contributed for the three points as a brace from Nikolai Filipov was just a mere consolation for the losing side

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

Gżira United 22, Birkirkara St Helen’s 19, MFPA 17, Hibernians 15, Rabat Veterans, Luxol 10 , Żejtun Red Stars 9, Żurrieq Wolves 3

ROBERT BUSUTTIL

Joint leaders Gżira United and Birkirkara St Helen’s face off this Thursday in the top of the table clash from Match Day 9 of the VMFA CISK Premier League.

Both clubs are passing from a good moment as they are maintaining their consistency in this league. They also possess some good quality players that can make the difference.

A draw will leave everything as it is although both side will battle it all to get the most precious three points.

In the first round, the Maroons won 10-3.

MFPA want to maintain their good form of late as they face Rabat Veterans. The latter are passing from a negative patch of results and need to pull up their socks to avoid going further down the table.

MFPA are coming from a great 7-0 victory against Żurrieq Wolves with Rabat succumbing to a 9-3 defeat against Birkirkara.

In the first round, both clubs shared the spoils in a 4-4 scoreline.

Luxol want to return to winning ways as they face Żurrieq Wolves. The former started brightly their commitments in the VMFA Cisk Premier League but these last outings, they are being vulnerable in defence and that coincided with some defeats.

Żurrieq have still to obtain their first points of the season having lost all the matches played so far.

In the first round, Luxol 5-0.

Żejtun Red Stars have a difficult match ahead as they face Hibernians. The team led by Carmel Formosa is gaining ground and a couple of positive results put them on the 9-point mark.

Hibernians are coming from an unlucky 3-2 defeat against Gżira United and are now ready to bounce back.

In the first round, the Paolites won 4-2 over the Red Stars.

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

Gżira United, Birkirkara St Helen’s 19, MFPA 14, Hibernians 12, Rabat Veterans, Luxol 10 , Żejtun Red Stars 9, Żurrieq Wolves 0

FIXTURES – St Dorothy’s Grounds – Żebbuġ

17/1/2024

19:00 – Luxol St Andrew’s vs Żurrieq Wolves

20:15 – Hibernians vs Żejtun Red Stars

18/1/2024

20:00 – Birkirkara St Helen’s vs Gżira United

21:15 – MFPA vs Rabat Veterans

DEEM CAMILLERI

Gzira United and Birkirkara St Helen’s are still joint leaders of the VMFA Cisk Premier League table as they won their respective matches.

Birkirkara were clinical and took many of their chances as they ran out with a convincing 9-3 win over a lacklustre Rabat.
Firas Aboulezz scoring a hat-trick while Malcolm Bugeja and Daniel Cremona both added to the score line with a brace each. Kevin sammut and Andy Portelli were the other two who joined the party of goals.

Rabat looked for a way to come back into the game with three goals from Timothy Spiteri, Darren Galea and Joseph Caruana but these goals only sufficed into making matters more respectable and nothing more.

Gżira edged Hibernians 3-2 in a highly balanced encounter. Gzira coming out as winners thanks to a brace from Gilbert Camilleri Lowell and another one from Dino Cachia proving to be crucial. Hibernians were unlucky to not get anything from the game with Glenn Bonello scoring a brace which wasn’t enough for the team from Paola.

These were important wins for Birkirkara and Gzira respectively as they continue to cement their place at the top of the table as joint leaders. Birkirkara now on top on goal difference due to their huge win against Rabat.

Zejtun Redstars came out as deserved winners over their opponents Luxol. Beating the latter 6-3 with two braces from Malcolm Camilleri and Pierre Spiteri respectively, while Renjos Farrugia and Nikolai Filipov also contributed to Zejtuns victory. Manolito Micallef, Micheal galea and Luke Satariano also got on the scoresheet but their efforts only proving as consolation.

MFPA were dominant against Żurrieq Wolves as they won 7-0. Man of the Match Mark Barbara scoring a poker, while Thomas Paris and Roderick Bajada also adding to the flurry of goals, with a brace and a goal respectively.

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

Gżira United, Birkirkara St Helen’s 19, MFPA 14, Hibernians 12, Rabat Veterans, Luxol 10 , Żejtun Red Stars 9, Żurrieq Wolves 0

The second round of the CISK Veterans Premier League is all set to kickoff on Wednesday night as Matchday 8 will commence with Zejtun Red Stars Veterans taking on Luxol St Andrews Veterans.

The Red Stars have to improve in their performance as they only grabbed six points from the first round. One of their problems seems to be the attack as they are not being consistent in front of goal.

On their part, Luxol started very well their commitments of the first round but suffered some unexpected defeats that left them only with ten points in the table.

Luxol won their first encounter against Żejtun 6-1.

Żurrieq Wolves A.S.C will look to open their points tally for the season as they come up against the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA). The latter are on a high after winning the David Cluett Memorial Cup as they saw off Hibernians 3-1. They are favourites to win the three points at stake to resume their quest for the title.

MFPA won 3-1 their first match against the Wolves.
The last two games of Matchday 8 will take place on Thursday when joint leaders Birkirkara Saint Helen Veterans FC encounter Rabat Veterans.

The Birkirkara side are having a positive season as they have a total of 16 points. The team are scoring important goals and their players are having a consistent season.

Rabat had their ups and downs till now but hope to create the surprise.

In the first round, Birkirkara won 5-3.

The last match of this Matchday will feature Gzira United FC Veterans who will look to strengthen their grip on first place as they face third place Hibernians FC Veterans a crucial fixture which could definitely be considered as a six-pointer at the upper end of the table.

Gżira had the upperhand in the first round as they saw off Hibernians 5-3.

STANDINGS – VMFA CISK PREMIER LEAGUE

Gżira United, Birkirkara St Helen’s 16, Hibernians 12, MFPA 11, Rabat Veterans, Luxol 10 , Żejtun Red Stars 6, Żurrieq Wolves 0

The Veterans Malta Football Association organized a testimonial game between the friends of the former Floriana and Maltese national team goalkeeper David Cluett.

This game was held before the final of the David Cluett Memorial Cup at St Dorothy’s Ground in Żebbuġ. Several former players took part in this game including Dennis Cauchi, Mark Galea, Mario Caruana, Charles Sciberras, Richard Buhagiar, Malcolm Camilleri, Ernest Barry, Martin Gregory and Michel Degiorgio. They were also joined by Carlos Cluett and Daniel Cluett who also had the chance to play part of the game.

In the presence of Fr Hillary Tagliaferro and the guests for the occasion Carmel Busuttil, John Buttigieg and Edwin Camilleri, several of these players recounted nostalgically those moments when they used to grace the football field with their style of play.

VMFA president Malcolm Camilleri thanked all the players who attended this match. He reitarated the fact that the aim of this association is to keep these former international players active in a sporting and friendly spirit.