BOV Youth Knockout 2025/26
Quarter-Finals

Naxxar Lions 0-2 Swieqi United

In the first match of the Quarter-Finals, Swieqi United booked their place in the next round thanks to a goal in each half against Naxxar Lions FC.

The two sides came into the game relatively even, and the match commenced in that manner, with both teams pushing forward early on. Swieqi were the ones to take the lead in the 39th minute, when Kojo Okle fired them in front with a cool finish.

Naxxar regrouped, and they solidified their defending following the setback. While they tried to mount attacks, they could not break down the stubborn Swieqi backline. The Owls eventually made it 2-0 in the 75th minute, with Okle once again being on target, sealing the win for Swieqi as they booked a place in the Semi-Finals.

Valletta 1-0 Pietà Hotspurs

At the Centenary Stadium, BOV Youth League A champions Valletta FC hosted runners-up Pietà Hotspurs FC in a crunch match between the top two sides of the league campaign.

As expected, the match was off to a very tight start, with both sides looking to get a foothold on the game. Despite there being a couple of chances on goal, neither team could open the scoring after 45 minutes, and the score remained goalless at half-time.

After the break, Valletta pushed forward, and they were placing the Pietà backline under more pressure. The breakthrough eventually came in the 77th minute, when Valletta midfielder Thomas Melillo found a pocket of space, before firing the ball into the back of the net to give the Lilywhites the advantage.

While Pietà pushed in search of an equaliser, they could not break the Valletta defence down, and the match finished 1-0 to the Lilywhites.

Mosta 2-1 Zebbug Rangers

On Tuesday, Mosta FC edged past BOV Youth League B side Zebbug Rangers FC with a narrow 2-1 win, despite playing the final few minutes with 10 men.

Mosta came into the encounter as favourites, and they got off to a perfect start, with Chukwuemeka Junior Eke firing them in front after just four minutes. They continued to control large portions of the half, but Zebbug were starting to grow into the game. In the 42nd minute, the Rangers stunned Mosta, with Lydon Sammut getting a goal to draw them level ahead of the break.

Mosta tried to reassert their dominance, and they got back in front right after half-time, with Russell Caruana making it 2-1 in the 48th minute.

However, Zebbug were not backing down, and they continued to trouble the Mosta defence. In the 74th minute, Mosta captain Bradley Farrugia was sent off, leaving Mosta with 10 men for the final minutes of the game. Despite the setback, the Blues saw out the win, and as a result booked a place in the Semi-Finals, with Zebbug going out with their heads held high.

Sliema Wanderers 1-2 St Andrews

Sliema Wanderers FC, who only recently secured promotion to the top tier, put up a strong fight against BOV Youth League A side St Andrews FC, only for the top tier team to go through.

The match, played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Tuesday, was a well-matched one and a good test for Sliema. St Andrews started the stronger of the two teams, and they went in front after 25 minutes, when Adam Vella rifled a ball into the back of the net.

St Andrews continued to administer their lead going into the break, looking in control of the game. After half-time, they were quick to double their advantage, with Jack Camilleri popping up with a goal that would prove to be vital, just minutes after coming off the bench.

Sliema did not let the setback get to them, and they looked to push forward in the hope of getting a goal to get themselves back in the game. That moment eventually came in the 77th minute, when they were awarded a penalty. Captain Nicholas Strickland stepped up to take it, and he made no mistake from the spot, halving the deficit. The Wanderers were pushing forward, but they could not find another way through St Andrews’ defence, and the match finished 2-1 to St Andrews.

Sliema ended the game with 10 men after Omar Al Matroud received a second yellow card very late in the game.