Żejtun Corinthians’ perfect record in Division Three

Żejtun is one of the largest villages in Malta.

It is also one of the most populated areas. Yet, for some strange reason, this district’s football team has only recently reached the top division of Maltese football. However, despite everything, the club has had its bright moments.

One of Żejtun’s best teams was that of 1949-50 when the Corinthians won promotion to the Second Division without losing a game.

Żejtun opened their commitments with a 0-0 draw against their chief challengers, Qormi Youngsters.

Two individualistic goals by J. Bonnici put them on their way to victory against St Paul’s FC in the second match of the competition.

By now, things were getting hotter at the Schreiber Ground, with Żejtun and Marsa leading their respective sections.

Sunday, November 27, 1949 saw a big crowd of Żejtun supporters urging their team on to another 2-0 victory. This time their victims were Mellieha FC who succumbed to goals from Formosa and Desira.

The joy of the Żejtun supporters knew no bounds but it was nothing compared to the noise and clatter which filled the Schreiber on the feast of the Immaculate Conception when Żejtun beat Dingli Swallows 7-0.

Chretien, Bonnici, Formosa, Ohayon and Lungaro (2) were the scorers for the Corinthians.

The other goal was an own goal.

With Qormi and Balzan Youths drawing 1-1 on December 11, 1949, the way was left clear for Żejtun to gain sole leadership in the table.

The Corinthians shrugged off the challenge of Pietá Hotspurs with yet another 2-0 victory.

Żejtun’s next opponents were Żurrieq FC. The latter were always a hard nut to crack and Żejtun had to exert themselves to the limit to beat their stiff opposition.

In the end, it was only a goal by Dakin which tipped the scales in their favour.

The joy of the Żejtun supporters was short-lived, however, because after the match Żurrieq protested on a technicality.

The MFA ruled in favour of Żurrieq and ordered a replay. This setback did not discourage the Corinthians who won the replay 3-0.

Żejtun now only needed a draw from their last match against Balzan to assure themselves of section honours.

Balzan, on the other hand, needed nothing less than a victory to win the section. This important game was played on Sunday, February 10, 1950 and although I was only five years old at the time I still have vague recollections of the huge crowds which wended their way to the Schreiber that day.

The game itself turned out to be a tough encounter with neither side neither asking nor giving any quarters.

The crowd was also very edgy and there were many scuffles between the rival supporters.

Both teams were reluctant to take any chances and it was no surprise when the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Żejtun were the section winners. All they had left now was to beat Marsa in the championship decider.

The big game against Marsa was played on Sunday, March 12, 1950.

Marsa had a very good team but Żejtun were not to be denied. They won 3-1 to win the championship and a place in the Second Division.

Marsa had only one consolation. At least they could boast of having scored the only goal against the Corinthians during the whole campaign.

1949-50 was a great season for Żejtun Corinthians.

There are people in Żejtun who still remember that glorious period in the club’s history. It would have been nice to say that Żejtun’s success continued in the knock-out competition.

Unfortunately, however, Żejtun were knocked out of the competition in the second round by the third team of Valletta.

The honours that season went to Floriana III who beat Gzira United 3-1 in the final.

Season 1949-50 was a successful season for Floriana who, not only disposed of the top honours but also appropriated themselves of both the junior knock-out competitions.