The draw for the preliminary round and first round of the U*BET FA Trophy were held on Thursday during the programme MFA Magazine on Smash Television.
Taking part in the draw were six Premier League clubs, the ten First Division teams and the Gozo FA First Division champions. In fact, following changes to the competition’s regulations, as from this season, the Gozitan champions have the right to take part in the FA Trophy unless Gozo FC are playing in the Premier League or First Division and therefore have the right to participate in the competition as well.
The draw resulted as follows:
Preliminary Round
Vittoriosa Stars vs Melita
First Round
Msida St. Joseph vs Balzan Youths
Vittoriosa S./Melita vs Dingli Swallows
Hamrun Spartans vs St. George’s
Mqabba vs Qormi
Floriana vs San Gwann
Mosta vs Tarxien Rainbows
Sannat Lions vs St. Patrick
Marsaxlokk vs Pietà Hotspurs
The Preliminary Round match is expected to be played in the coming days as First Round matches are scheduled for Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November.
Last season’s U*BET FA Trophy winners, Sliema Wanderers, together with Premier League champions Hibernians, runners-up Valletta and third-placed Birkirkara were awarded a bye and will enter the competition in the quarter-finals which will be played in April.