Four all-Premier League clashes in third round of FA Trophy

Eight Premier League clubs will go head to head in the third round of the 2018-19 FA Trophy after the draw produced no fewer than four direct clashes between top-flight teams.  Valletta FC, the current champions and FA Trophy holders, will start their cup defence against First Division side Marsa with the third-round ties scheduled to take place between November 30 and December 2. Floriana, FA Trophy winners in 2017, were handed a tough draw as they face Ħamrun Spartans in one the four all-Premier League encounters. The others are Hibernians-Qormi, Sliema Wanderers-St Andrews and Senglea Athletic-Mosta. Birkirkara, losing finalists last season, have been drawn against Gozitan side Nadur Youngsters while Mdina Knights, the only Third Division team to reach the third round of the FA Trophy, will meet Premier League side Pietà Hotspurs. The top six teams in the last season’s BOV Premier League – Valletta, Balzan, Gżira United, Birkirkara, Floriana and Hibernians – were seeded for the third-round draw. Gżira United, the current BOV Premier League leaders, will face Second Division side Rabat Ajax. The fourth-round pairings were also drawn during today’s event at the Trophies Lounge. The winner of the Valletta/Marsa tie will meet either Mellieħa or Lija in the fourth round while the winner of the Floriana/Ħamrun Spartans encounter will set up a fourth-round clash with Birkirkara or Nadur Youngsters. Whatever the third-round results, the fourth round will surely feature an all-Premier League as the winner of the Senglea/Mosta will come up against either Sliema or St Andrews. FOR A GOOD CAUSEBefore the draws, Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the Malta FA General Secretary, thanked all those who, in one way or another, are supporting young Kane Debattista who is currently undergoing treatment for a serious illness. Dr Chetcuti said the welcome given to Kane Debattista and his family by the Valletta and Floriana fans before Sunday’s derby at the National Stadium made it a special occasion which underlined football’s ability to bring people together for a noble cause. The Malta FA General Secretary also appealed to the local football followers to come and support the national team in their final UEFA Nations League Group D3 matches against Kosovo (17th November) and Faroe Islands (20th November) at the National Stadium. THIRD-ROUND MATCHESFloriana vs Ħamrun SpartansQormi vs HiberniansBalzan vs QrendiNadur Youngsters vs BirkirkaraGżira United vs Rabat AjaxMarsa vs VallettaMellieħa vs Lija AthleticSan Ġwann vs Fgura UnitedGudja United vs Xewkija TigersPembroke Athleta vs Żejtun CorinthiansSliema Wanderers vs St AndrewsVittoriosa Stars vs Tarxien RainbowsSenglea Athletic vs MostaSiġġiewi vs MelitaBirżebbuġa St Peters vs Żebbuġ RangersMdina Knights vs Pietà Hotspurs Ties to be played from 30th November-2nd December, 2018 FOURTH-ROUND PAIRINGSGżira/Rabat vs Siġġiewi/MelitaMellieħa/Lija vs Marsa/VallettaSenglea/Mosta vs Sliema/St AndrewsMdina/Pietà vs Pembroke/ŻejtunNadur/Birkirkara vs Floriana/ĦamrunVittoriosa/Tarxien vs Birżebbuġa/ŻebbuġQormi/Hibs vs San Ġwann/FguraBalzan/Qrendi vs Gudja/Xewkija Ties to be played on 26th-27th January, 2019