Greens return to clinch 1934-35 title

In the opening match of the 1934-35 league championship, Hibs beat Marsa 2-0 with goals from Turu Theobald and Noni Formosa.

Marsa fought hard but at the end they had to surrender to a superior and better-trained team.

Nobody ever took Sliema Rangers seriously. Everyone knew that they were the Sliema Wanderers' reserves and that their only ambition was to take the odd point off the Wanderers' rivals.

Yet, during their existence they sprung many surprises, as they did in 1934 in the second match of the league against Qormi St George's.

Playing first-time football, Rangers held their more-quoted opponents to a 0-0 draw.

Ħamrun Spartans were reluctant to form a team that season. Knowing their limitations, the club preferred to take part in the Second Division with their reserves, the Small Spartans.

However, since the Small Spartans had been the champions of this division, the MFA insisted that the team play in the First Division. Fielding practically the same formation which played in the second division, the Spartans faced Sliema Wanderers on October 28, but they were so poor that the Blues trounced them 11-0.

Floriana played their first league match after a lapse of three seasons on November 1.

The Greens ran rings round Marsa, winning 7-0. Hibs won their game against Sliema Rangers 3-1.

The Spartans showed vast improvement on their disastrous first outing when they met Qormi St George's on November 18.

Qormi, however, were much stronger than their opponents and, despite losing half-back Grech early in the game to injury, they were still good enough to win 2-0.

Sliema Wanderers joined Hibs at the top of the table with four points after beating Marsa 4-1 although for a time the Blues were made to fight hard by their plucky opponents.

On that occasion, many fans braved the inclement weather and stood for two hours in the biting cold to watch the match.

For a time, it looked as if Marsa would take a point off their opponents. The score was 1-1 and the clock kept ticking down.

Marsa fought like warriors to keep their opponents out, but the Wanderers' experience finally told. Tony Nicholl was fouled in the box and scored from the penalty spot. This goal took the bite out of Marsa's play and a few minutes later Nicholl scored again.

With only minutes left, DeCesare banged in another penalty to give Sliema a flattering 4-1 victory.

Sliema Rangers again proved to be Floriana's 'bogey' team when the teams met on December 2.

In the first half, the Sliema youngsters fought bravely, keeping the scoresheet blank.

In the second half, Floriana raged around the Rangers' goal and goalkeeper Lambertini brought the house down with a number of top-class saves. Then, Ċensu Friggieri hit a spectacular goal from 30-yard range.

Rangers were now subdued and minutes before the end Pisani made the final score 2-0 from a penalty. With this victory, Floriana joined Hibs and Sliema at the top.

Three-way race

As predicted, the league was developing into a race between the three major clubs.

The competition continued with Marsa beating Ħamrun 2-1 and Hibs overwhelming Qormi 3-0. The first round was completed when the Blues demolished Rangers 5-1 in the Sliema derby.

Hibs met the Spartans on January 13. This game was played in wintry conditions.

The Paolites adapted much better to the lashing rain and the strong wind and by half-time they were already three goals up. In the second half, four other goals were added to make the final score 7-0.

Floriana shrugged aside Qormi's challenge with a 2-0 victory. The match between Sliema Wanderers and Hibs was played on January 25.

Hibs adopted a system of man-to-man marking, a novelty during that period. The plan worked up to a certain point. Towards the end, however, Hibs began to tire out and in the space of two minutes, Formosa struck twice to give the Wanderers two precious points.

After this, Sliema beat Qormi 5-0 but Floriana dropped a precious point in a 0-0 draw against Hibs.

Sliema now needed a point from their last match against Floriana to win the championship.

Floriana knew that a draw would hand the title to Sliema and so went all-out for a victory.

It was not long before Floriana scored through Debattista who met a cross from the right wing. The Greens persisted and eventually Cauchi had the satisfaction of seeing the ball roll slowly into the corner of the net from his header... the drama ended.

Floriana, against all expectations, had beaten the mighty Wanderers and clinched the title.