BOV Division 2: Marsa, Sirens move top, secure promotion — Kirkop relegated

Amateur League
by Antoine Busuttil

With one game to go for the end of the season, Marsa and Sirens are the new leaders of the BOV Second Division after both registered the win they needed to secure promotion with Gharghur losing to Zabbar St. Patrick. Next week, Marsa face Gharghur and Sirens take on Mgarr. A win for either Marsa or Sirens would hand them the title but if both win, a championship decider would be necessary. Gharghur could only force a decider should they beat Marsa and Sirens lose to Mgarr.

At the Luxol Stadium, Marsa came from behind to beat Msida St. Joseph 5-1. Andrew Formosa put Msida ahead on the 16th but five minutes later, Lincoln Micallef levelled matters. Eight minutes in the second half, Mark Gauci made it 2-1 and five minutes later, Timothy Thomas converted a penalty to increase the lead further. Seven minutes from time, Christopher Cutajar scored a fourth goal and Gilbert Martin added another in stoppage time.

A brace by Giovanni Galea on the 11th and 75th gave Sirens a 2-0 win over Qrendi at the Sirens Stadium. On the other hand, goals by Jean Claude Cesare on the 25th and Dillon Pace on the 84th gave Zabbar St. Patrick a 2-0 win over Gharghur who were leading the table before Sunday’s games.

Swieqi United secured their Second Division status as goals by Patrick Briscoe White on the 38th and Mark Martin on the 55th gave them a 2-0 win over Kirkop United at the Luxol Stadium in a direct clash against relegation. Kirkop United will therefore play in Division 3 next season.

A brace by Ronnie Celeste paved the way for Birzebbuga St. Peter’s to beat Zejtun Corinthians 3-1 at the Charles Abela Stadium. Celeste scored on the 26th and 35th before Mauro Brincat reduced the gap with a penalty for Zejtun on the 49th. On the hour, Keith Muscat converted a penalty for the Saints.

In another match at the same venue, Mgarr United defeated Zurrieq 4-1. Karl Sacco opended the score on the 3rd minute but Kenneth Aquilina equalised on the 32nd. Matthew Muscat made it 2-1 for Mgarr four minutes in the second half. Gianluca Theuma converted a penalty on the 70th and Leon Zammit added another deep into stoppage time.

Marsa and Sirens lead the way with 54 points, followed by Gharghur on 53, Zabbar 48, Mgarr 40, Siggiewi 39, Birzebbuga 36, Zejtun 35, Qrendi 32, Mellieha 28, Swieqi 23, Kirkop 19, Zurrieq 13 and Msida 5.