Fixtures of 2018/19 FA Trophy opening rounds released

Following the draws of the preliminary, first and second rounds of the 2018-19 FA Trophy, the Malta FA Competitions Department has published the dates, kick off times and venues of the matches from the opening two rounds. The preliminary round kicks off on Friday, 31st August, 2018 with two matches involving four GFA clubs at the Gozo Stadium –Oratory Youths vs Għajnsielem (18.00) followed by the clash between Munxar Flacons and Nadur Youngsters (20.00). Three games are scheduled for Saturday, 1st September. At the Centenary Stadium at 1900, Marsaskala play Dingli Swallows in an all-Division Three encounter. Last season, Dingli Swallows finished in mid-table in Division Three on 12 points, five more than Marsaskala. Meanwhile, at the Kerċem Stadium in Gozo, St Laurence Spurs play Għaxaq (18.00) and Sannat Lions meet Ta’ Xbiex in the second match on 1st September. Three more cup games will be played in Gozo on Sunday as SK Victoria Wanderers face Mtarfa at the Gozo Stadium, followed by the encounter between Gozitan champions Victoria Hotspurs and Msida St Joseph. At the Kerċem Stadium on Sunday, Qala Saints take on Għargħur. The FA Trophy first round matches kick off on Thursday 6th September as Għarb Rangers lock horns with Xgħajra Tornadoes while the winner of the preliminary round match between Oratory Youths and Għajnsielem take on Xewkija, with both matches being played at the Gozo Stadium. Saturday 8th September, a public holiday, sees more footballing action this time at the Sirens Stadium with a first-round match as Żurrieq take on the winner of the match between Munxar Falcons and Nadur Youngsters, followed by the match between Kirkop United and Kerċem Ajax. Finally two more games on Sunday, 9th September. At the Sirens Stadium the winner of the match between Marsaskala and Dingli Swallows take on the winner of the tie between Sannat Lions and Ta’ Xbiex in another FA Trophy first round tie while Żebbuġ Rovers play Mdina Knights on Sunday at 18.00 the Kerċem Ajax Stadium. Details of the three other first-round fixtures – SK Victoria W./Mtarfa vs St Laurence Spurs/Għaxaq, Victoria H./Msida SJ vs Attard, Qala S./Għargħur vs Xagħra United will be announced on Monday 3rd September.