In 1946-47, the first round of the FA Trophy was staggered throughout the season. This system robbed the competition of much of its glamour because the clubs tended to concentrate more on their league commitments rather than the cup.

In the first round, the First Division teams were pitted against clubs from the lower division. This resulted in a number of one-sided matches which, on the whole, produced few surprises, except, perhaps, the elimination of Sliema Wanderers by neighbours Melita.

Sliema did enough in this match to win hands down but an opportunistic goal from their ex-player, Maurice DeCesare, gave the Amateurs an unexpected but cherished victory. This was the Blues' worst showing in the cup competition since its inauguration in 1934.

With one or two exceptions, all the Second Division clubs fared badly.

The best performance of a Second Division team was that of Zejtun United against Floriana. What was expected to be a walkover for Floriana developed into an interesting and evenly-contested cup tie.

Zejtun, a humble club, gave the Greens the fright of their lives. They took an early lead and then scored again early in the second period. Floriana were outplayed and outclassed. Then came the rain and the ground was transformed into a sea of mud.

The more it rained, however, the more Floriana came into the game. Leli Cauchi reduced the arrears and then set up Bennetti to score two others and give the Greens a rather lucky 3-2 victory.

The quarter-finals produced a flood of goals.

Naxxar Lions trounced Hibernians 5-0. It was a personal triumph for young Ninu Calleja who scored four of the goals. Calleja, who died recently, went on to excel for Sliema and Malta later in his career.

Hamrun Spartans then created a sensation when they annihilated Melita, the conquerors of the Wanderers, 10-1!

Floriana, wary of the hard time they were given by Zejtun, came out with all guns blazing against Birkirkara, winning a one-sided game 8-0.

Lastly, Valletta shook off the tough challenge of St George's to win narrowly 3-2 but not before they had expended every ounce of energy they had in their tanks.

When the Spartans met Floriana on Sunday, March 9, they were riding on the crest of a wave. The Greens, on the other hand, were passing through a lean period in the league. True to form the Spartans started the game like a house on fire but as is often the case in such situations, it was Floriana who scored first.

Hamrun did manage to equalise but at the end, it was Floriana who emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins.

Against Naxxar, Valletta looked anything but reigning champions. They had to play second fiddle to the exuberant Lions' forwards and were forced to defend for long stretches. Only a great goalkeeping display by 'Dodi' Calleja kept Naxxar from eliminating the favourites.

Twenty minutes from the end, it was still goalless. Naxxar desperately searched for that elusive winning goal. Ninu Calleja was pushed in the back by full-back Mallia but Aquilina's penalty was saved by the City keeper.

The match ended in a 0-0 draw and had to be replayed on Wednesday, April 16.

Once again, Valletta were made to fight hard by Naxxar. This time, however, experience told and City won 3-2.

Valletta were favourites to beat Floriana in the final. There was no comparison between the two teams at the time. The Citizens had by far the better team. The Greens, however, rose to the occasion.

In football, particularly in cup finals, the team who scores first wins half the battle. The match had barely started when Galea opened the score for Floriana.

Valletta were shocked and although they contributed to a highly entertaining game, they never fully recovered from that early setback.

In the second half, Valletta pressed hard for the equaliser but, in the space of two minutes, Galea struck twice to complete a hat-trick and hand the trophy to the Greens.

For the record

1946-47 FA Trophy final at the Empire Stadium

15-05-47 Floriana vs Valletta 3-0

Floriana: Busuttil, Preca, E. Borg, Zahra, Bennetti, Fenech, Micallef-Podesta, Micallef, Galea, Cauchi, Herbert.

Valletta: Camilleri, Pearson, J. Mallia, Zammit, Bonello, Mallia, P. Vassallo, Rodgers, Dowling, Schembri, Curmi.

Scorer: Galea (3). Referee: Billy Mock.