Holders Xaghra United had a disappointing debut to the new season as they were eliminated from the Sportika Division KO by Oratory Youths.  This first semi final of the competition was actually a repetition of the final of the same competition contested last season, where the Blues had an impressive performance.  However, in this match Oratory took revenge for the defeat conceded last season.  They are a transformed side where coach John Cassar managed to introduce motivation and discipline among a group of young players. 

  The victory that earned the Youths a place in the final for the second consecutive time matured through a prudent approach.  They were well organized to keep the danger away from their area and produced dangerous fast break that created some panic at Xaghra’s rearguard.  At the end, Xaghra’s first match in the new season was quite disappointing.  They are considered among the favourites for the hounours in the lower category but against Oratory they failed to impose their superiority and converted in goals.  They seemed weak in attack and very often the rearguard was exposed to provide space to their opponents to maneuver.  Xaghra’s coach Josef Vella therefore had a difficult debut and he has to find the remedy to recover from this disappointment in time for the challenge to the championship.

   For this match Xaghra also had Eman Bugeja who was returning with the Blues after a spell with Sannat Lions; while goalie Matthew Vella (ex-Gharb R/ Victoria H) was making a full debut.  Marvin Grech was also making a return with the Youths after a season spent with SK Victoria Wanderers.

   The Blues came out more aggressive.  They took command of play at the midfield but found it extremely difficult to enter Oratory’s area so that their main attempts came through shot from outside the area.  In the 8^th minute Xaghra produced a good move on the left flank when Mark Buhagiar entered the area but his angled shot missed the target.

   Xaghra lost a golden scoring opportunity on 40 minutes when a long ranged shot by Sam Frank Bajada was partially saved by goalie Franklin Vella but from the rebound Eman Bugeja hit badly and Victor John Saliba’s final attempt was well saved by the goalkeeper.

   Oratory maintained the same deployment for the second period while Xaghra tried to increase their pressure.  In the 58^th minute a shot by Mark Buhagiar form a short clearance by the defense ended just high.  Oratory created danger on 67 minutes through a long ranged shot by George Louis Zammit that was neutralized by goalie Matthew Vella and Xaghra replied one minute later through a strike by Eman Bugeja that was deflected in corner.  Oratory scored the goal that decided the issue on 73 minutes.  Oliver Saliba crossed from the left flank and Nicholas Farrugia was unlucky when he hit badly in an attempt to clear danger and the ball ended in his own goal. 

   Xaghra tried to produce a reaction and one minute later a shot by substitute Anthony Bajada ended wide.  On 80 minutes Daniel Bartolo entered the area with a ersonal action, dribbling three defenders, but his attempt ended inches wide with the goalkeeper beaten.  Xaghra last opportunity to force extra time arrived in the 89^th minute through a shot by Eman Bugeja that was blocked by Giovan Grech.

Referee: Joe Agius