Hibernians win Youth League Section A

Hibernians won the Youth League Section A after defeating Valletta 4-2 after extra-time in the Championship Decider at the Centenary Stadium on Monday.

Christian Mallia put the Paolites ahead on 74 minutes but four minutes later, Tristan Nappa Licari levelled matters. Hibs regained the lead through Joseph Mbong on the 85th but Valletta were quick to equalise through Joshua Buttigieg.

The game went into extra-time and eleven minutes in the first half, Christian Mallia made it 3-2. Six minutes in the second half, Jurgen Degabriele sealed the issue with a fourth goal.

The Championship Decider was necessary after both teams had ended their league commitments on 46 points.

Following a fine run of eight consective wins, Hibernians seemed heading towards the title but back-to-back defeats to St. Andrews and Pietà. This allowed Valletta to take the top spot as they had only lost to Hibs but a defeat to St. Andrews meant that by mid-February, the two teams were sharing the top spot. Since then the only points they lost were in 2-2 draw in the direct clash.

St. Andrews finished third, six points behind the joint-leaders as although they suffered only two defeats throughout the season, they were held in four draws. Zabbar St. Patrick and Naxxar Lions will be playing in Section B after finishing in the bottom two places.

This was the third championship for the club this season after winning the BOV Premier League and the BOV Women’s League.