Champions Gżira United were beaten 6–3 by MFPA on the opening day of the Veterans Malta FA Premier League.
It was a tightly contested match in which, despite MFPA leading for most of the game, the Maroons continually responded before eventually having to give way towards the end.

The Malta Football Players Association had Jonathan Bondin scoring a hat-trick, while Julian Galea, Stephen Wellman, and Manuel Sevasta added to the tally.
Gżira United found the net thanks to a hat-trick from Kevin Sammut.
The referee was Lorry Sammut.

In another highly entertaining match, Hibernians started their season in the best possible way with a 6–5 victory over Floriana.
It was a match where both defences struggled, but in the end Hibernians secured the three crucial points.

Johnny Camilleri scored a brace for the Paolites, while Daniel Fodermayer, Glanville Goodlip, Steven Bonnici, and Clayton Micallef sealed the win.
For Floriana, Manolito Micallef was outstanding with four goals, and Dylan Grima added another.
The referee was Jonathan Balzan.

Luxol St Andrew’s defeated Rabat Veterans 2–1.
Glenn Bonello and Tyron Borg scored for Luxol, while Robert Perkins pulled one back for Rabat.
The referee was Jonathan Balzan.

Żurrieq Wolves opened their campaign strongly with a 3–2 win over Birkirkara St Helen’s.
John Clarence Conger Thompson registered a personal brace, while Bjorn Bondin added the third for the Wolves.
Ayrton Duncan and Federico Tejada Marine scored for Birkirkara.
The referee was Lorry Sammut.

STANDINGS – VETERANS MALTA FA PREMIER LEAGUE
MFPA, Żurrieq Wolves, Hibernians, Luxol 3 pts
Gżira United, Birkirkara St Helen’s, Floriana, Rabat 0 pts

The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) won the David Cluett Memorial Cup after defeating Floriana 16–15 in a penalty shootout.

It was a very balanced encounter, with both sides alternating the lead throughout the match. After 60 minutes of play, the score was level at 3–3.
Stanimir Miloskovic scored twice for the MFPA, while Jonathan Bondin added another goal for his team.
For Floriana, Manolito Micallef also netted a brace, with Bojan Kaljevic among the scorers as well.

After no fewer than 32 penalties were taken, MFPA eventually emerged victorious with an overall score of 16–15.
At the end of the match, Carlos Cluett, brother of the late but never forgotten David Cluett, presented the trophy to MFPA captain Carlo Mamo.

The referee for the match was Lorry Sammut.

PHOTOS – JOE BORG

Floriana and MFPA will face off in the final of the David Cluett Memorial Cup after both teams secured victories in their semifinal matches.

Floriana overcame Luxol St Andrew’s Veterans 5-3 in a hard-fought contest. Bojan Kaljevic scored twice for the Furjani side, while Ryan Camilleri, Christian Cassar, and Manolito Micallef added further goals. Luxol’s goals came from Nenad Stankic, Emerson Amaira, and Matthew Schembri. The match was refereed by Gjorgji Bitri.

MFPA dominated Birkirkara St Helen’s, winning 10-3. Stanimir Miloskovic scored a hat-trick, while Jonathan Bondin, Michael Galea, and Julian Galea each netted twice. Mark Zammit sealed the decisive win for the Malta Football Players Association. Birkirkara’s goals came from Federico Marine Tejada, who scored twice, and Daniel Scerri. Gjorgji Bitri also officiated this match.

The final of the David Cluett Memorial Cup will take place next Wednesday at the Dorotej Ground in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, kicking off at 7:30 pm.

The semifinalists of the David Cluett Memorial Cup have been confirmed, with Floriana, MFPA, Luxol, and Birkirkara St Helen’s advancing to the final four of this first competition of the Veterans Malta Football Association season.

Floriana finished top of the group despite a thrilling 4–4 draw against Birkirkara St Helen’s. It was a hard-fought match, with Birkirkara showing great determination to take something from the game. Manolito Micallef and Bojan Kaljevic each scored twice for Floriana, while Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza also netted a brace for Birkirkara, supported by goals from Mark Gauci and Firas Aboulezz.
Referee: Jonathan Balzan

MFPA secured second place after a 1–1 draw with Luxol St Andrews. George Frendo scored for the Malta Football Players Association, while Nenad Stankic found the net for Luxol.
Referee: Jonathan Balzan

Gżira United returned to winning ways with a 9–5 victory over Rabat Veterans. Ian Zammit was the standout performer for the Maroons, scoring five goals, while Romeu Romao added a brace. Rabat reduced the margin through a double from Andy Mangion and further goals from Dylan Falzon, Adam Smeir, and Leandros Calleja.
Referee: Paul Apap

Żurrieq Wolves claimed their first win of the season, beating Hibernians 5–3. Kevin Vella struck a hat-trick for Żurrieq, with Mario Camilleri and Giuseppe Muscat also on target. Hibernians’ goals came from Adrian Muscat, Malcolm Camilleri, and Luke Satariano.
Referee: Paul Apap

The semifinals will be played next week, with Floriana facing Luxol, and MFPA meeting Birkirkara St Helen’s.

Standings – David Cluett Memorial Cup
Floriana 10, MFPA 8, Luxol 7, Birkirkara 7, Gżira United 7, Hibernians 3, Żurrieq Wolves 3, Rabat Veterans 0.

The Malta Veterans National Team secured an emphatic 11–2 victory in an international friendly match against MNK Bol Brac, played at the Mellieħa Ground.

The Maltese side dominated from start to finish, leading 6–0 by half-time. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was the standout performer with four goals, while Ian Zammit and Man of the Match Adam Smeir both netted twice. Daniel Cremona, Kevin Sammut, and Gareth Magri also found the target for the team led by coach Joe Micallef.

Malta started with the following lineup: Clint Camilleri, Dylan Falzon, Jonathan Pearson, Daniel Scerri, Jonathan Bondin, Kevin Sammut, Chris Camilleri, Adam Smeir, Daniel Cremona, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, and Ian Zammit. During the match, Glenn Bonello, Gareth Magri, and Ryan Darmanin were also introduced.

Floriana Veterans remain at the top of the David Cluett Memorial Cup standings with maximum points from three matches. The Greens dominated their encounter against Luxol St Andrew’s, winning convincingly 7–1.

Bojan Kaljevic and Manolito Micallef were the standout performers for Floriana, both netting hat-tricks, while Gilbert Scerri added another goal for the Greens. Matthew Schembri scored the only goal for Luxol. The referee was Alper Can.

The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) moved into second place following a comprehensive 9–2 victory over Birkirkara St Helen’s. Jonathan Bondin and Julian Galea both registered hat-tricks, with Mark Barbara scoring twice and Stanimir Miloskovic also on target. Mark Gauci and Firas Aboulezz replied for Birkirkara. The referee was Paul Apap.

In an entertaining fixture, Gżira United defeated Żurrieq Wolves 6–3, returning to winning ways after their previous defeat against Birkirkara St Helen’s. Romeu Romao scored twice, while Kevin Sammut, Ian Zammit, Christopher Uzeh, and Alistair Dalli were also on the scoresheet for Gżira. Kevin Vella, Alexander Muscat, and Giuseppe Muscat scored for Żurrieq. The referee was Alper Can.

Hibernians secured their first win of the season, overcoming Rabat Veterans 4–1. Gozitan player Chris Camilleri netted a hat-trick, leading the Paolites to victory, with Daniel Fodermayer adding another. Andy Mangion scored Rabat’s only goal. The referee was Paul Apap.

STANDINGS – DAVID CLUETT MEMORIAL CUP

1. Floriana – 9 pts
2. MFPA – 7 pts
3. Luxol – 6 pts
4. Birkirkara – 6 pts
5. Gżira United – 4 pts
6. Hibernians – 3 pts
7. Żurrieq Wolves – 0 pts
8. Rabat Veterans – 0 pts

Birkirkara St Helen’s secured the most emphatic victory of the day in the David Cluett Memorial Cup, defeating Gżira United Veterans with a commanding 7-0 scoreline. The Stripes were in dominant form, led by South American forward Federico Tejada Marine who scored four goals. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Gilbert Camilleri also got on the scoresheet for the Stripes.

The match was officiated by referee Jonathan Balzan.

A more evenly contested encounter took place between the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) and Żurrieq Wolves, with MFPA emerging 7-5 winners. Mark Barbara and Stephen Wellman both netted hat-tricks, while Julian Galea added another for MFPA.

Żurrieq Wolves responded with braces from Giuseppe Muscat and Alexander Muscat, and a further goal from Kevin Vella. This match was also refereed by Jonathan Balzan.

In another closely-fought match, Luxol St Andrew’s edged past Hibernians 2-1. Despite dominating most of the first half and creating several chances, Hibernians failed to find the net. Luxol struck through swift counterattacks, scoring twice — a goal by Tyron Borg and an own goal from Clayton Micallef. Jason Gauci scored an own goal in favour of Hibernians.

Referee for this match was Ray Tabone.

Floriana Veterans had to work hard to defeat Rabat Ajax 3-1. The Greens only secured the win late in the game. Ryan Darmanin gave Floriana the lead, before Adam Smeir equalised for Rabat. Towards the end, Sunday Eboh and Manolito Micallef sealed the victory for Floriana.

This match was also officiated by Ray Tabone.

Standings – David Cluett Memorial Cup
Luxol, Floriana, Birkirkara – 6 points
MFPA – 4 points
Gżira United – 1 point
Rabat, Żurrieq, Hibernians – 0 points

David Cluett Memorial Cup holders Rabat Ajax suffered a heavy 7–1 defeat against the returning Luxol St Andrew’s.
The competition, held in memory of former Malta international goalkeeper David Cluett, marks the return of veterans’ football after the summer break.

Luxol, making their return to this category, impressed with Matthew Schembri scoring a brace, while Glenn Bonello, Nenad Stankic, Tyron Borg, Leighton Grech and Nazzareno Abela were also on target. Rabat scored their only goal through Leandros Calleja.
Referee: Milos Krstic.

Gżira United and MFPA produced a thrilling 4–4 draw. Despite MFPA leading 4–2 at one point, Gżira fought back to claim a point. New signing Romeu Romao scored twice for the Maroons, with Zvezdan Vukovic and Kevin Sammut also finding the net. MFPA had Mark Barbara net a brace, while Stanimir Miloskovic and George Frendo were also among the scorers.
Referee: Sillah Al Hasana.

Floriana started their campaign with a comfortable 6–2 victory over Hibernians.
Manolito Micallef scored a hat-trick, while Michael Borg Olivier added an own goal. Dylan Grima and Bojan Kaljevic completed the scoring for the Greens. Hibernians reduced the deficit through Glanville Goodlip and Ilia Nazarov.
Referee: Milos Krstic.

Birkirkara St Helen’s defeated Żurrieq Wolves 6–3.
The Stripes scored early and left little doubt about the final outcome. Firas Aboulezz was Birkirkara’s hero with four goals, while Mark Gauci and Dylan Zarb also got on the scoresheet. Żurrieq’s goals came from Kevin Vella, Bjorn Bondin and Ahmed Trabelsi.
Referee: Sillah Al Hasana.

The Malta Veterans bowed out of the Jubilee Cup following a heavy 8-1 defeat to Birżebbuġa St Peter’s, a team that proved simply too strong on the day at the the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Despite the scoreline, the Veterans battled throughout and found moments to cheer, particularly through the goal scored by Adam Smeir.

Birżebbuġa made their intentions clear from the start, with David Oliveira Souza putting them ahead inside six minutes after a quick counter. Just a minute later, the Veterans almost replied immediately when Kurt Magro forced goalkeeper James Pisani into a save, but luck was not on their side.

Birżebbuġa’s firepower was evident as Oliveira added a second with a header on 16 minutes, and a long-range strike by Alex Bruno extended the lead further in the 27th minute. Oliveira completed his hat-trick before half-time, and although Bruno also struck the post, the Veterans found themselves 4-0 down at the interval.

The second half began in similar fashion, with Oliveira adding his fourth goal soon after the restart. However, the Veterans refused to give up. A dangerous free-kick by Justin Grioli on 48 minutes tested Pisani in goal, and just after the hour mark, the Veterans finally got their reward.

Adam Smeir produced a well-taken low drive that beat Pisani and gave the team something to celebrate, making the score 5-1.

Birżebbuġa added three more goals through Paul Lapira, Yusuf Suleiman and substitute Jacob Walker to seal the issue.

The Malta Veterans Football Association will be opening the new season with the David Cluett Memorial Cup. Yesterday, the draws for this competition were held, with eight teams set to take part.

Holders Rabat Veterans will play against St Andrew’s, while last season’s champions Gżira United face MFPA.

In other encounters, Żurrieq Wolves take on Birkirkara St Helen’s, while the clash between Floriana and Hibernians promises to be a very interesting one.

The matches will be played between 8th and 9th October at the Dorotej Ground in Ħaż-Żebbuġ and the Mediterranean College of Sports Ground in Birkirkara.

This will be the fourth edition of the tournament, held in memory of former Malta international goalkeeper David Cluett.