The Mosta Under-19 side crowned a successful season by winning the Youth Knock-Out Competition after defeating Sliema Wanderers in the final at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday.

Jan Tanti put Mosta ahead on the 24th minute but Omar Elouni equalised seven minutes from the end of the first half. With the score still 1-1 at the end of the ninety minutes, the game went into extra-time but the score remained unchanged. Penalties therefore had to determine the winner. Kurt Shaw, Omar Elouni and Miguel Mifsud scored for Sliema but Neil Frendo, Jan Tanti, Zachary Brincat and Moussa Souare handed Mosta victory.

This Knock-Out win follows their success in the Youth League Section A. Mosta finished top of Section A, nine points ahead of runners-up Birkirkara and twelve ahead of Sliema Wanderers. Throughout their league campaign, Mosta dropped their only points in a defeat to Sliema and draws with Pietà and Birkirkara.

Pietà Hotspurs and St. Andrews shared fourth place, followed by Valletta, Balzan and Lija Athletic who escaped relegation after defeating Qormi in a final decisive match. Qormi were relegated to Section B along with second from bottom side, Pembroke Athleta.

In Section B, Hibernians emerged as winners with 51 points, losing only one game throughout their campaign to runners-up Hamrun Spartans who were also promoted after finishing seven points behind the champions. San Gwann finished third, followed by Melita, Zebbug Rangers, Kirkop United, Zabbar St. Patrick and Rabat Ajax. The Magpies defeated Floriana in a dramatic final league match to leapfrog the Greens who were therefore relegated to Section C along with Attard.

Swieqi United won Section C ahead of Naxxar Lions – both sides claiming promotion to Section B. Tarxien Rainbows placed third ahead of Santa Lucia, Mellieha, Msida St. Joseph, Sirens and Fgura United with Mgarr United and Dingli Swallows finishing in the bottom two places and hence being relegated to Section D.

In Section D, Mqabba claimed the title, finishing seven points clear of runners-up Birzebbuga St. Peter’s. Both were promoted to Section C. Gzira United placed third, followed by Luqa St. Andrew’s, Zejtun Corinthians, Siggiewi, Gharghur, Xghajra Tornados, Marsaxlokk and Sta. Venera Lightnings. Marsaxlokk and Sta. Venera were relegated to Section E.

Marsa remained unbeaten as they won Section E, dropping points only in two draws with Marsaskala and Zurrieq. Zurrieq placed second and hence won promotion to Section D along with Marsa. Kalkara placed third, followed by Marsaskala, Ghaxaq, Mtarfa and Ta’ Xbiex.