Hibs juniors crown fine season

Hibernians have equalled Floriana's record of three football titles in youth categories in the same season after topping their sections in U-14, U-16 and U-19.

In the Youth FA APS U-14 competition, Joe Cardona and his assistant Stefan Schweinbacher led the Paolites to a remarkable run to finish two points ahead of Pietà Hotspurs, who provided some stiff opposition throughout the season.

Hibs U-14 won the tournament without defeat, winning 18 times from 22 matches, the other four finishing in a draw. They scored 67 times and conceded 11 goals only.

There was no challenge for Hibs U-16. They finished the championship unbeaten as well and on top of the standings, 13 points better off than second-placed Floriana. They only failed to win on two occasions, the others all merited wins as the team scored a staggering 89 goals in their campaign.

The Paolites' sterling work at youth level was reflected in the U-19 team's success in the Malta FA league.

Here again, Hibs swept past all opposition winning 16 times from 18 matches. They drew one and lost the other, their blemish to the record only coming on the table after Sta Venera Lightnings won a protest after they were beaten on the field of play.

Meanwhile, it was announced that this season the Youth FA organised 775 matches in the various divisions.

The major part of the games were played on artificial turf pitches at St Aloysius College.

Section winners U-14: A - Paola Hibs; B - Melita; C - Tarxien; D - Luxol.