2015–16 Maltese FA Trophy

The 2015–16 Maltese FA Trophy was the 78th version of the knockout tournament. The competition started on 5 September 2015 and ended on 14 May 2016.[1]

2015–16 Maltese FA Trophy
Tournament details
CountryMalta
Teams65
Defending championsBirkirkara
Final positions
ChampionsSliema Wanderers (21st title)
Runner-upBalzan

Birkirkara were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Sliema Wanderers.

Format

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This version of the Maltese FA Trophy was a single elimination tournament contested by 65 teams. The winner, Sliema Wanderers, earned a spot in the Europa League. Sliema were unable to obtain a UEFA license. As a result, the berth was given to the fourth-placed team of the Premier League. Matches which were level after regulation went to extra time and then penalties to determine a winner.[2]

Schedule

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Round Date(s) Number of fixtures Clubs
Preliminary round 5 September 2015 1 65 → 64
First round 11–13 September 2015 12 64 → 52
Second round 23–25 October 2015 20 52 → 32
Third round 1 December 2015 – 6 January 2016 16 32 → 16
Fourth round 19–20 January 2016 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 19–20 April 2016 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 7–8 May 2016 2 4 → 2
Final 14 May 2016 1 2 → 1

Preliminary round

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One preliminary match was played on 5 September 2015.[1] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 18 August 2015.[3]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
5 September 2015
Oratory Youths (1G)  5–1 Marsaskala (4)

First round

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Twelve first round matches were played between 11–13 September 2015.[1] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 18 August 2015.[3]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
11 September 2015
Kerċem Ajax (1G)  6–0 Kalkara (4)
St. Venera Lightnings (4) 5–3   Xagħra United (2G)
12 September 2015
Luqa St. Andrew's (4) 0–4   Xewkija Tigers (1G)
Ghaxaq (4) 1–2 (a.e.t.) Marsaxlokk (4)
Għarb Rangers (2G)  0–4 Ta' Xbiex (4)
Qala Saints (2G)  0–5   Victoria Hotspurs (1G)
Attard (4) 1–3 (a.e.t.)   Victoria Wanderers (1G)
Mtarfa (4) 1–0 St. Lucia (4)
13 September 2015
Nadur Youngsters (1G)  1–0 Mdina Knights (4)
St. Lawrence Spurs (1G)  1–0 (a.e.t.)   Oratory Youths (1G)
Xghajra Tornadoes (4) 0–1   Għajnsielem (1G)
Dingli Swallows (4) 2–0   Munxar Falcons (2G)

Second round

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Twenty second round matches were played between 23–25 October 2015.[1] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 18 August 2015.[3]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
23 October 2015
Rabat Ajax (2) 4–1 Msida St. Joseph (3)
Gżira United (2) 6–0 Sirens (3)
Gudja United (2) 0–1 San Ġwann (2)
Żebbuġ Rangers (2) 4–1 Qrendi (3)
24 October 2015
Zejtun (3) 1–0 Marsaxlokk (4)
Marsa (3) 2–4   Xewkija Tigers (1G)
St. Venera Lightnings (4) 2–1 Birżebbuġa (3)
Kirkop United (3) 3–2 Mtarfa (4)
Siggiewi (3) 0–3 Fgura United (2)
Swieqi United (3) 2–1 Ta' Xbiex (4)
Żurrieq (3) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Għargħur(3)
Melita (2) 3–1 Mġarr United (3)
25 October 2015
Vittoriosa Stars (2) 2–0   Kerċem Ajax (1G)
Ħamrun Spartans (2) 0–1 St. George's F.C. (2)
Lija Athletic (2) 2–1 Mellieħa (3)
Senglea Athletic (2) 1–2 Pietà Hotspurs (2)
Mqabba F.C. (2) 5–3   Victoria Hotspurs (1G)
Għajnsielem (1G)  2–1 (a.e.t.)  Dingli Swallows (4)
Żabbar St. Patrick (3) 6–1  Nadur Youngsters (1G)
Victoria Wanderers (1G)  2–4  St. Lawrence Spurs (1G)

Third round

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Sixteen third round matches were played between 1 December 2015 and 6 January 2016. The draws for the third and fourth round were held on 27 October 2015.[4]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
1 December 2015
St. George's F.C. (2) 1–0 Mqabba F.C. (2)
2 December 2015
Pietà Hotspurs (2) 4–1 Zejtun (3)
St. Venera Lightnings (4) 0–2 Għargħur (3)
Rabat Ajax (2) 1–4 Melita (2)
Żabbar St. Patrick (3) 0–3 Gżira United (2)
9 December 2015
Birkirkara (1) 6–0 Kirkop United (3)
Balzan (1) 2–1 Fgura United (2)
Floriana (1) 3–0   St. Lawrence Spurs (1G)
Pembroke Athleta (1) 3–0 San Ġwann (2)
15 December 2015
Mosta (1) 1–2 Hibernians (1)
Swieqi United (3) 2–4 St. Andrews (1)
16 December 2015
Vittoriosa Stars (2) 0–1 Sliema Wanderers (1)
Qormi (1) 1–0   Għajnsielem (1G)
Naxxar Lions (1) 0–1 Lija Athletic (2)
Żebbuġ Rangers (2) 1–4 Tarxien Rainbows (1)
6 January 2016
Xewkija Tigers (1G)   1–3 Valletta (1)

Fourth round

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Eight fourth round matches were played between 19–20 January 2016. The draws for the third and fourth round were held on 27 October 2015.[4]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
19 January 2016
Qormi (1) 1–4 (a.e.t.) Tarxien Rainbows (1)
Balzan (1) 2–0 Melita (2)
20 January 2016
Hibernians (1) 1–2 Pembroke Athleta (1)
Floriana (1) 2–1 Lija Athletic (2)
St. Andrews (1) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Gżira United (2)
Pietà Hotspurs (2) 3–2 St. George's F.C. (2)
Birkirkara (1) 1–0 Valletta (1)
Għargħur (3) 1–2 Sliema Wanderers (1)

Quarter-finals

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Four quarter-final matches were played 19–20 April 2016. The draw for the quarter-final was held on 3 February 2016.[5]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
19 April 2016
Balzan (1) 1–0 (a.e.t.) Tarxien Rainbows (1)
Sliema Wanderers (1) 2–1 St. Andrews (1)
20 April 2016
Pembroke Athleta (1) 3–1 (a.e.t.) Pietà Hotspurs (2)
Birkirkara (1) 2–0 Floriana (1)

Semi-finals

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Two semi-final matches were played 7–8 May 2016. The draw for the semi-final was held on 27 April 2016.[6]

7 May 2016 Sliema Wanderers (1) 1–0Birkirkara (1)Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST Denni   45' Report Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Glen Tonna
8 May 2016 Balzan (1) 3–1 (a.e.t.)Pembroke Athleta (1)Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST Alan   80'
Kaljević   97'
Pedrinho   120' (pen.)
Report Laudisi   34' Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Philip Farrugia

Final

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The final was played on 14 May 2016.

Balzan and Sliema Wanderers never meet in the final. For Balzan this was their first-ever Maltese FA Trophy final in history, while for Sliema Wanderers this was the fortieth final, and they won it twenty times.

The last time Balzan and Sliema Wanderers met together in Maltese FA Trophy was during the 2013-14 Fourth round when Sliema Wanderers beat Balzan 8–7 on penalties when the match ends 1–1 draw.

14 May 2016 Balzan (1)0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Sliema Wanderers (1) Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST Report Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Marco Borg
Penalties
Fenech  
Serrano  
Pedrinho  
Effiong  
Grima  
  Scerri
  Farrugia
  Mandinho
  Muscat
  Baldacchino

See also

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2015–16 Maltese Premier League

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Malta FA Trophy 2015/16". maltafootball.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  2. ^ "FA Trophy:Season Rules". scoresway.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "FA Trophy first and second round 2015/16 draws". maltafootball.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Holders Birkirkara drawn with Kirkop in FA Trophy third round". maltafootball.com. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Holders Birkirkara face Floriana in FA Trophy quarter-finals". maltafootball.com. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Holders Birkirkara paired with Sliema in FA Trophy semi-finals". maltafootball.com. Retrieved 28 February 2016.