Ħamrun Spartans dominate as Valletta, Birkirkara grind out FA Trophy wins

RESULTS

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 5-0 VICTORIA HOTSPURS
Attard 5, Mbong 61, Camenzuli 63, Koffi 72, Cadjenovic 73.

BIRKIRKARA 3-1 SK VICTORIA WANDERERS
Macula 54, 66; Busuttil 69 (B); Harland 34 (V).

PEMBROKE ATHLETA 0-1 VALLETTA
Yuri 75 pen.

Ħamrun Spartans, Valletta and Birkirkara justified their favourites’ status as they all progressed to the Last 16 of the FA Trophy, marking the start of domestic football action in 2026.

Ħamrun were the most convincing of the three, cruising past Victoria Hotspurs with a commanding 5–0 victory. Valletta and Birkirkara, by contrast, were made to work considerably harder to book their place in the next round.

Valletta required a late second-half penalty to overcome third-tier side Pembroke Athleta, while Birkirkara were forced to come from behind before eventually seeing off Gozo League outfit SK Victoria Wanderers 3–1.

Giacomo Modica’s Ħamrun took control early, opening the scoring after just five minutes through Malta Under-21 winger Shaisen Attard.

The Spartans wrapped up the win after the interval, with goals from Joseph Mbong, Ryan Camenzuli, N’Dri Koffi and Jovan Cadjenovic sealing a comprehensive performance.

Modica handed Francisco Celio a rare start between the posts, while still naming a strong line-up that is expected to undergo some changes during the January transfer window. Ħamrun are now set to shift their full focus towards retaining their Malta Premier League title.

One of the more intriguing subplots of the match saw Mbong, who captained the side on the day, lining up against his brother Emmanuel, currently on the books of Victoria Hotspurs under Oliver Spiteri.

At the Centenary Stadium, Valletta had Yuri Messias to thank once again, as his decisive goal ensured progression for the Citizens.

Messias has been one of Valletta’s standout performers this season, building on his eye-catching display in the Jubilee Cup final, where the Citizens defeated Sliema Wanderers.

The tie also marked Valletta’s first match following the confirmed departure of forward Jefferson, with Andrei Ciolacu entrusted to lead the line.

Birkirkara, meanwhile, overturned a one-goal deficit to gain some respite from their recent league struggles and advance to the Last 16.

Earlier in the week, the Stripes confirmed the departure of several foreign players, as the club moves to overhaul its non-Maltese contingent in a bid to become more competitive ahead of the Closing Round of the Malta Premier.

It initially appeared that Birkirkara were heading for another disappointing result when Samuel Harland gave SK Victoria Wanderers a shocking lead after the half-hour mark.

However, the Stripes turned the tie in their favour with a quick-fire response after the break, as Lucas Macula struck twice and Jan Busuttil added a third between the 54th and 69th minute to secure a 3–1 victory.