BOV Division 3: Kalkara celebrate promotion in style

Champions Kalkara celebrated the BOV Third Division title in style as they defeated Zurrieq 7-1 in their final match at the Sirens Stadum on Saturday.

Julian Briffa gave Kalkara the lead on the 3rd minute but Bjorn Chetcuti levelled matters three minutes later. Ryan Sell restored the lead on the 36th minute. Kalkara scored five after the break thanks to Christopher Cuschieri on the 64th, Timothy Thomas on the 69th, Cuschieri on the 81st and Thomas once again on the 85th and 92nd.

Ronnie Fenech, Manager of Bank of Valletta’s Cospicua Branch, presented the BOV Third Division Champions Trophy to the winners accompanied by MFA Vice President Matthew Paris.

Luqa St. Andrew’s defeated Dingli Swallows 3-0 at the Luxol Stadium to leapfrog Santa Lucia and take the runner-up spot. Lydon Sciberras put Luqa ahead on the 24th minute and doubled the score on the 68th with Lee Baldacchino converting a penalty seven minutes from time to seal the issue.

Mtarfa ended their commitments on a positive note as they turned defeat into victory to beat Xghajra Tornados 3-2 at the Charles Abela Stadium. A Royter Degiorgio penalty put Xghajra ahead on the 15th and although Paul Azzopardi equalised on the 19th, Royter Degiorgio made it 2-1 three minutes from the end of the first half. Marwan Mohamed Ali Alforjani restored equilibrium on the 57th and deep into stoppage time, Adrian Lanzon converted a penalty to hand Mtarfa the three points.

Msida St. Joseph came from behind to beat Mdina Knights 3-1 at the Charles Abela Stadium. Dylan Mintoff put Mdina ahead on the 14th minute but Christopher Zammit levelled matters on the 27th. Carlo Debono made it 2-1 on the 78th with Darren Bartoli sealing the issue with a antoher goal one minute from time.

Kirkop United beat Marsaskala 4-1 at the Sirens Stadium. Ronald Spina put Kirkop ahead just before the end of the first half. Ten minutes in the second half, Eric Zammit doubled the score and Matthew Caruana made it 3-0 on the 68th. Luis Nestor Silva Canas converted a penalty to reduce the gap for Marsaskala eight minutes from time but two minutes in added time, Ilyad Scicluna converted another penalty to make it 4-1.

At the Luxol Stadium, Sta. Venera Lightnings defeated Ta’ Xbiex 4-2. Jamie Portelli put the Lightnings ahead on the 34th but an own goal levelled matters for Ta’ Xbiex just before half-time. Portelli restored the lead three minutes in the second half but once again Ta’ Xbiex equalised, this time through Sean Lanzon on the 69th. However two goals in added time handed Sta. Venera the three points as Danijel Vasic converted a penalty on the 91st and Joseph Chetcuti added another on the 94th.

Kalkara ended their commitments with 62 points, followed by Luqa on 53, Santa Lucia 52, Msida 45, Sta. Venera 41, Kirkop 37, Xghajra 35, Mdina 34, Zurrieq 28, Mtarfa 22, Dingli 19, Ta’ Xbiex 15 and Marsaskala 3.

[gallery_bank type=”images” format=”masonry” title=”true” desc=”false” responsive=”true” display=”all” sort_by=”random” animation_effect=”bounce” album_title=”true” album_id=”44″]

Photos courtesy of Bank of Valletta