Gżira United were the only team outside the BOV Premier League to reach the semi-finals of the FA Trophy last season. Picture shows Gżira United captain Ryan Deguara (left) running clear of Valletta midfielder Ryan Fenech. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The Malta FA are hunting for a new sponsor for the FA Trophy competition after talks to extend their nine-year association with Maltco Lotteries failed to lead to an agreement.

Bjorn Vassallo, the newly-appointed Malta FA general secretary, told a news conference yesterday that discussions with a host of potential sponsors, both local and foreign, are on-going.

“We discussed the possibility of extending the sponsorship deal for the FA Trophy with Maltco Lotteries but we didn’t reach an agreement for commercial reasons,” Vassallo, who served as MFA Chief Executive Officer for four years before succeeding Joe Gauci as general secretary, said.

“We are negotiating with a number of local and foreign companies who have shown an interest in sponsoring the FA Trophy competition.”

Vassallo was speaking before the draws of the first and second round matches of the 2014/15 FA Trophy which has reached its 77th edition.

A total of 64 teams have entered the knock-out competition which was won by Valletta last season.

The Citizens, who claimed a league and cup double after edging Sliema 1-0 in the final, and the remaining 11 Premier clubs enter the fray in the third round.

The six teams that contested the Championship Pool last season – Valletta, Birkirkara, Hibernians, Mosta, Sliema Wanderers and Balzan – will be seeded for the third round draw.

The 12 first-round matches, featuring the Division Three sides and those representing the Gozo FA, will take place between September 3 and 8.

A place in the third round will be at stake when the 20 second-round ties, involving the winners of the first-round matches and the Division One and Two teams, are played between October 24 and 26.

Ħamrun Spartans, who were relegated to Division Two at the end of last season, are the most successful side among the 52 teams involved in the initial rounds of this season’s com-petition.

Ħamrun, six-times FA Trophy winners, face an uphill task to progress to the third round after being pitted against Division One outfit Vittoriosa Stars.

The second round draw has thrown up two clashes between Division One sides as newly-promoted Pembroke Athleta meet Rabat Ajax and St George’s take on St Andrew’s.

In the last few seasons, the semi-finals of the FA Trophy preceded the end of the league campaign but this year, the MFA have reverted to the old programme whereby the two last-four games will be played after the final match of the championship.

The semi-finals are scheduled for May 16 and 17 while the final will be played on May 24.

Two-match ban for Pietà’s Rafael

Rafael Xavier Zacarias has started his experience in Maltese football on a wrong footing.

After seeing red in Pietà Hot-spurs’ 2-1 opening-day defeat to Birkirkara, the Brazilian defender, who joined the newly-promoted Premier League club in the close season, will miss his side’s next two outings after being handed a two-match ban.

The draws

First round

Oratory Youths vs Luqa; Xewkija vs Kirkop; Qrendi vs Marsaxlokk; Xagħra United vs Nadur; Mdina Knights vs St Lawrence Spurs; Marsaskala vs Sta Venera Lightnings; Għajnsielem vs Mtarfa; Mġarr United vs Kalkara; Qala Saints vs Sta Luċija; SK Victoria Wanderers vs Munxar Falcons; Kerċem Ajax vs Attard; Ta’ Xbiex vs Victoria Hotspurs.

Note: Matches to be played from September 3-8.

Second round pairings

SK Victoria W./Munxar vs Xewkija/Kirkop; Fgura vs Xagħra/Nadur; Melita vs Żejtun; Msida St Joseph vs Marsa; Sirens vs San Ġwann; Żabbar St Patrick vs Qala/Sta Luċija; Mellieħa vs Ta’ Xbiex/Victoria Hotspurs; Ħamrun Spartans vs Vittoriosa Stars; Xgħajra vs Siġġiewi; Gżira United vs Għaxaq;

Lija vs Oratory/Luqa; Dingli Swallows vs Żurrieq; Għajnsielem/Mtarfa vs Gudja United; Mġarr/Kalkara vs Swieqi United; Għargħur vs Mdina/St Lawrence; Birżebbuġa St Peter’s vs Kerċem/Attard; Pembroke Athleta vs Rabat Ajax; Mqabba vs Senglea Athletics; Qrendi/Marsaxlokk vs Marsa-skala/Sta Venera; St George’s vs St Andrew’s.

Note: Matches to be played from October 24-26.

Third round – November 28-December 3. Fourth round – January 17-21.

Quarter-finals – February 13-14. Semi-finals – May 16-17.

Final – May 24.