Greens break Spartans’ hearts in 1952 final

In 1951-52 Floriana completed a league championship treble to emulate their achievements in seasons 1909-13 and 1926-29. Up to that time, the only other club to clinch three championships in a row were Sliema Wanderers in 1937-40.

With the league trophy resting proudly in their showcase, the Greens cast covetous eyes on the Cassar Cup and the FA Trophy.

Floriana, giving a scintillating second-half display, beat the Army 4-1 to reach the Cassar Cup final.

After a goalless first half, the Greens started to change positions in bewildering fashion. Three minutes into the second half, they went ahead when Charlie Bennetti pounced on a loose ball to fire home.

Five minutes later, Benny Camilleri sent Pullu Demanuele clear down the left flank. The winger slipped between Stuart and Sacco with a body swerve and smashed the ball home.

Charlie Azzopardi then raced up to the Army’s goal and slammed the ball past the goalkeeper for goal number three. Two minutes later Azzopardi’s shot was stopped by the Army goalkeeper but Lolly Borg was quick to score from the rebound.

This was surely Floriana’s best performance of the season but it was not a good year for the Services.

On May 4, the Royal Air Force were trounced 7-2 by Ħamrun Spartans. The attendance for this match was rather poor. In fact, there were more people at the stadium in the morning when the reserves of Sliema Wanderers and Floriana played in a Second Division match.

The airmen were unlucky to find Ħamrun in great form. The Spartans could have reached double figures had they taken all their chances.

Gejtu Psaila, son of the great ‘Ħaċċa’ Psaila, scored a hat-trick which did credit to his father’s memory.

The Cassar Cup final was played on May 11, 1952.

Although Floriana were the team of the moment and favourites to win the cup, the Spartans’ morale was high after their impressive win over the RAF. Their supporters filled the stadium convinced that 1952 was going to be their year.

The Spartans had the best of the exchanges in the first period and were unlucky to change ends a goal in arrears, scored against the run of play.

Twelve minutes into the game, a free-kick on the Spartans by-line – given for a foul by Azzopardi on Demanuele – was the prelude to Floriana’s goal.

Bennetti took the kick. The ball soared high over friend and foe before falling at the waiting feet of Demanuele who shot first-time past the surprised Aquilina in the Spartans’ goal.

This was a smack in the eye to the Spartans and then, as though to highlight that this was not the Spartans’ day, a drive by Buttigieg crashed against the bar with Galea well and truly beaten.

The second period started dramatically. Inside the first minute of the second half, Tony Vella beat his own goalkeeper with a mistimed back pass but the ball came off the bar.

Floriana were relieved. They now showed more pep in their play. They went forward and in their ensuing attack, they peppered the defence-packed Spartans area with a series of shots.

Ħamrun refused to lie down. They fought their way back and for a while, it looked as though they would get the equaliser.

However, when the game seemed to be going the Spartans’ way, Bennetti slid a defence-splitting pass to Charlie Azzopardi. The latter passed quickly to Borg who, despite being challenged by Camilleri, left Aquilina helpless with a fierce shot.

This goal broke the heart and spirit of the gallant Spartans. After the game, the governor presented the winners with medals and the Cassar Cup to Floriana captain Borg.