Some time ago, as I was going through my collection, I came across a very interesting photograph.
There is nothing really special about this picture but for those who, like me, hail from Paola it will bring back many fond memories.
It shows the Hibernians youth team, winners of the 1954-55 Minors Cup competition.
I was intrigued because I know everyone in the photograph, at least by sight. Although I must admit that I can’t remember the first names of most of the players (maybe someone can write and give us more details).
In those days, the minors league and cup competition were always keenly contested.
Every weekend the Schreiber Sports Ground was filled to capacity for Third Division matches and since the minor league fixtures were usually sandwiched between the senior games there was always a good attendance.
In 1954-55, 24 teams took part in the Minors Cup.
The hot favourites were Floriana and Sliema Wanderers. Both teams had won their respective section in the league.
However, Little Rainbows, Veritas FC, Hibernians FC and St George’s were also expected to do well in the tournament.
In football, however, things do not always work out as expected.
Both Sliema and Floriana were eliminated in the early stages.
Sliema had the better of Valletta 2-1 in the first round but were surprisingly beaten in the next round with the same score by Rabat.
Floriana, for some reason I have not been able to discover, gave Ħamrun Spartans a walkover.
Little Rainbows were also eliminated at the first hurdle when, on April 15, 1955 they were beaten 2-0 by Rabat.
Veritas FC edged out Żurrieq 1-0 but in the next round, they were soundly beaten 5-0 by the Spartans.
St George’s were also ousted at this stage by Birkirkara, leaving only Hibs of the original favourites to survive the second round.
The Paolites fought their way to the final where they met Rabat after they had beaten Birkirkara in the quarter-finals and Vittoriosa Stars in the semis.
The final was played on June 12, 1955. The game did not offer much of a spectacle but taking into consideration the scorching heat of a Maltese June afternoon, one sympathised with the players.
Rabat opened well and in their very first attack Pawlu Said was unlucky to see his shot hit the upright.
Having weathered this early pressure, Hibs began to gain ground and after Louis Theobald had missed the target by inches, half-back Galea tried a shot from well outside the penalty area which goalkeeper Azzopardi failed to stop.
A few minutes later, Abela (il-Kixu) beat Rabat’s centre-half Gauci and planted the ball into the net with a low shot.
After this goal the Magpies improved considerably. They went forward in search of goals and for a long stretch, they kept their opponents pegged in their penalty area.
On the change of ends, play was mainly confined to the Hibs’ half.
The Paolites rarely left their area except in rare counter-attacks. However, despite the Magpies’ persistent attacks they could not find a way to goal.
Midway through the second half, Rabat won a corner. The flag-kick was well taken and Joe Cilia, who was upfield with his forwards, headed in to make the score 2-1.
This was the signal for Rabat to increase their efforts but over-eagerness and erratic shooting let them down badly.
Luck dealt Rabat a fatal blow when, with two minutes left, Curmi ran down the wing and sealed his side’s victory with a shot from a very narrow angle.