Third time for Hotspurs

Qala St Joseph 0
Victoria Hotspurs 2
F. Bassi 40, 90

The first honour of the football season in Gozo went to Victoria Hotspurs as the team from the capital beat Qala St Joseph in the final of the Independence Cup last weekend.

It was the third time in the Hotspurs' history to win this competition.

Qala, in their second consecutive Independence Cup final, tried to keep up with their opponents but without Ricardo Saverino, suspended for this match, it was hard for them to create openings.

In the end, they had to settle for the runners-up slot, the same position of last year when they went down to Nadur in a penalty shoot-out.

With the two sets of supporters urging their teams on from the stands, the Hotspurs went very close to scoring early on when Manwel Cordina, formerly of Qala, dashed inside the box but from his delivery Jason Portelli's shot went just wide.

Victoria held the initiative and on 28 minutes Qala keeper Victor Agius stopped a Cordina shot. Then, an effort from outside the Qala box by Fabiano Bassi ended just over the bar.

The Hotspurs opened the score five minutes before half-time thanks to a Bassi free-kick that left Agius stranded.

One expected Qala to hit back after the break but it was the Hotspurs who went closest to scoring again.

On 50 minutes, Qala's defence cleared badly following some Cordina pressure and Bassi's strike was saved in style by Agius.

Noel Borg and Cordina missed a couple of sitters for the Hotspurs who only made sure of the result in stoppage time when Bassi hit home from routine distance.

Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono presented the Independence Cup to Hotspurs captain Michael Vella at the end of the match.

Qala St Joseph
V. Agius, G. Cefai, P. Camilleri, M. Secco, M. Bonello, D. Abela (J. Rapa), M. Mifsud, P. Said (C. Portelli), J. Xerri (C. Caruana), E. Nkwankwo, C. Hili.

Victoria Hotspurs
M. Grima, M. Buttigieg (J. Xerri), J. Mizzi, A. Tramboo, M. Vella, M. Cordina, R. Grech, J. Portelli, N. Borg, F. Bassi, A. Ribic (D. Farrugia).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.