U*Bet FA Trophy holders Hibs will start the defence of their title against Mosta as the draw for the third round of this season’s KO competition, held yesterday at the media room of the Malta FA technical centre, threw up no fewer than four all-Premier League clashes.
The 12 top-flight clubs were not involved in the opening two rounds of the competition but as it turned out yesterday, eight will go head to head on November 30-December 2 with the en-counter between champions Valletta and Ħamrun Spartans the pick of the lot.
Valletta’s standing as champions and strongest team in Maltese football made them the most-feared opponents in the third round, moreso for Ħamrun who suffered an 8-2 drubbing to the Citizens in their first-round league meeting.
Although the Spartans will not have been too pleased with the outcome of the draw, they could well view their cup tie against their rivals as an opportunity to show that their heavy league defeat was a one-off.
Birkirkara were drawn against Tarxien Rainbows while Floriana, the 2011 FA Trophy winners, were pitted against Melita.
Qormi, who surprisingly knocked out Valletta in the semi-finals of last year’s competition before going down 3-1 to Hibs in the final, will play Division Two side Pembroke.
Sliema Wanderers, who have won the Trophy a record 20 times, came up against Żebbug Rangers while fellow Premier League sides Balzan and Rabat Ajax will meet Naxxar Lions and Pietà Hotspurs respectively.
While thanking Maltco Lotteries for their support, Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA CEO, said the association was doing its utmost to ensure that the 75th edition of the FA Trophy is a memorable one.
“This season’s competition is the 75th in the history of the FA Trophy,” Vassallo said. “We at the MFA are doing everything possible to make this edition one to remember.
“I’m confident that, until the final on May 19, we will witness many hard-fought encounters in the FA Trophy as teams strive to win the second most prestigious honour in Maltese football.”
Vassallo noted with satisfaction that three teams from Gozo and two from the MFA Division Three have advanced to the third round.
“Emotions will intensify in the third round as interest grows with the involvement of the Premier League teams,” the MFA CEO said.
“Last season, we introduced a new, FA Cup-style format for our Trophy competition and this has gone down well with the teams and the general public.”
Vassallo said that last season, no club affiliated with the MFA lost money and the backing of the sponsors has contributed to this positive development.
The third round draw was conducted by Vassallo and Vasileios Kasiotakis, general manager of Maltco Lotteries.
Third round fixtures
Hibernians vs Mosta
Ħamrun Spartans vs Valletta
Sliema W. vs Żebbuġ R.
Naxxar Lions vs Balzan
Birkirkara vs Tarxien
Melita vs Floriana
Gżira Utd vs SK Victoria W.
Pietà Hot. vs Rabat Ajax
St Patrick vs Sannat Lions
Qormi vs Pembroke Athleta
Lija Athletic vs Għargħur
Msida SJ vs St Andrew’s
Żejtun C. vs Nadur Y.
Gudja Utd vs Senglea Ath.
Żurrieq vs Mqabba
Marsaskala vs Sta Venera L.
Ties to be played on weekend November 30-December 2.