Ħamrun Spartans had the better of US Triestina in a penalty shoot-out to win the final of the U-14 tournament during the recently-held Tony Bajada Memorial.

The 10th edition of this annual youth football festival, organised by the Ħamrun Spartans nursery in conjunction with the Ħamrun Local Council, attracted an encouraging number of teams with over 350 boys and girls taking part.

Staged at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, the festival was sponsored by Globalair, Colgate and Gatorade.

Tournaments were held for children in different age-groups, namely 2004, 2002, 2000, 1997 and 1995 (girls). In accordance with Youth FA guidelines, no winners were declared in the 2004, 2002 and 2000 categories.

In the girls’ tournament, played on a league basis, Ħamrun Spartans finished with a perfect record after wins over Lija/Iklin, Melita and Żurrieq.

In the 1997 boys’ category, the Spartans won all three of their group matches, against St Andrew’s, Sliema Wanderers and Paola Hibernians, to book their place in the semi-finals where they met Pietà Hotspurs.

The Ħamrun boys defeated the Hotspurs to set up a final against the U-14s of Serie B club US Triestina.

In a hard-fought match, the Spartans, adhering to the nursery motto ‘Never Surrender’, came back from a goal down to equalise by the end of normal time. The home team had the final say as they edged Triestina in the penalty shoot-out to claim the U-14 title.

The Ħamrun nursery said in a statement that the Triestina officials praised the level of organisation at the tournament and declared their intention to participate in next year’s edition with their 1998 squad.

At the trophy presentation Ħamrun Spartans Nursery secretary Noel Debattista thanked all the participating teams, the Bajada family and all those who contributed to the success of this event.

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