Young Greens upset the hot favourites

In 1966-67, the league campaign ended on Sunday, February 19. It was still too early in the season, proving that a league with just six teams was too short.

The MFA therefore tried to infuse some life into the FA Trophy by including all the second division teams in the competition.

At the same time, however, the senior clubs were seeded so as to keep them apart in the first round draw.

The experiment was a total failure. With one exception, all the second division clubs were soundly beaten.

The worst hit were Birkirkara and Marsa who lost 0-5 and 1-5 to Hibernians and St George's respectively. Only Qormi Youngsters salvaged their dignity, losing 0-1 to Floriana with the last kick of the match.

The massacre continued in the quarter-finals. Sliema beat Mosta 4-0 and Valletta defeated a gallant Melita side 2-0.

Hibernians humiliated Hamrun Spartans, beating them 6-0, and then the round was completed with the classical encounter between Floriana and St George's.

The Saints shocked their eternal rivals with an early goal but, true to tradition, Floriana fought back and in the end managed to turn the result 3-1 in their favour.

Hibs and Floriana continued on the winning trail. Champions Hibs edged past Valletta 1-0 in a match devoid of any excitement one usually expects in a cup tie.

Floriana, with a side full of raw but talented youngsters, played the best football of the competition. Against Sliema Wanderers, the traditional 'Irish' fighting spirit came to the fore once again. With youngsters Willie Vassallo, Powie Micallef, Louis Arpa and Anton Camilleri playing like veterans, they beat their more fancied opponents 3-0.

For the second year running, Floriana met Hibernians in the final. The year before, at Manoel Island, Floriana had been lucky to beat Hibs with a goal in injury time.

This time, Floriana repeated the same story, winning once again with the narrowest of margins. In fairness, however, the Greens fully deserved their victory on this occasion.

The Greens were the fitter team, there was no doubt about that. Maybe Hibs had the better players but lacked the spirit and determination which made them worthy champions.

In the end, victory went to the team that on the day worked hardest. Ginger-haired Salvu Borg, born and bred in Lija before joining Floriana in 1965, was the toast of the Greens' clan and not without a reason.

Although small in size, Borg profited from a moment of indecision by goalkeeper Freddie Mizzi and centre-half Edgar Caruana to hammer the ball into the roof of the net from five metres out to score the only goal of the match.

Relying mainly on break-aways and basing their play on an eight-man defence, Floriana defied the Paolites' frantic efforts to draw level.

However, it would not have been a great surprise if the game went to extra-time. Hibs created a number of clear-cut chances but their prodigal forwards squandered them all. Victor Cassar, il-Palun, had an off day in front of goal, missing at least two sitters.

Quoting The Bulletin of Monday April 24, 1967, Cassar was criticised for looking more interested in harrying his opponents rather than delivering the goods up front.

The game had hardly begun when he bundled Alfred Debono over the touch-line. Debono was down and out but out came the 'miraculous' sponge and he was able to carry on.

It was a tackle that should have earned the bustling Hibs striker a red card but for the benevolence of referee Turu Lentini who only showed him a yellow.

Cassar, however, was not the only culprit. None of the Hibs players showed any of the form that made them worthy league winners that season.

In the second half, in an attempt to instill some life into the team, Hibs replaced Freddie Mallia and Frans Scerri with Lorry Young and Wistin Barbara. But the substitutions had no effect on the outcome as the final whistle found Floriana still leading 1-0.

After the presentation, the fans invaded the pitch and carried the Floriana players shoulder-high out of the stadium.

For the Record

1966-67 FA Trophy final
April 23, 1967 - Empire Stadium
Floriana vs Hibs 1-0

Floriana: C. Zerafa, A. Debono, C. Farrugia, C. Galea, A. Camilleri, P. Micallef, S. Borg, W. Vassallo, Buttigieg, L. Arpa, H. Caruana.

Hibs: A. Mizzi, J. Privitera, T. Attard, E. Theobald, E. Caruana, S. Gatt, N. Buckle, F. Scerri (W. Barbara), V. Cassar, A. Delia, A. Mallia (L. Young).

Scorer: Borg.

Referee: Turu Lentini.