Mosta win promotion to top flight

As in all countries, Maltese football has some top clubs, the so-called 'elite' but there are also second and third tier clubs. In reality, there is very little difference between the first two categories except, perhaps, tradition and the age-old question of finances.

However, in the last 20 years or so, even tradition has at times been conquered.

Take Rabat Ajax and Marsaxlokk as examples. Both clubs have lived most of their league life in the doldrums of the lower divisions but favourable circumstances have enabled them to add their names to the championship winners list.

We can also mention Żurrieq and Pietà Hotspurs. Both enjoyed a long run in the Premier League and Żurrieq even won the FA Trophy in 1985.

A modest club I have always admired is Mosta. The Blues have never won a major honour but, over the years, they have produced teams and players that have been the envy of the so-called big guns.

Mosta spent many years in the second tier of the local game, currently the Division One league, but, occasionally, they have also experienced top-flight football. Season 1973-74 was the first time Mosta won promotion to the top division.

The 1973-74 Division Two League is best remembered for the number of derby matches played by the four clubs from the Cottonera area and its vicinities, St George's, Senglea Athletic, Vittoriosa Stars and St Patrick.

The best team of the quartet was St George's but the other three played their part in making that season a memorable one.

Sandwiched between them were Mosta Athletic who, under the guidance of ex-Floriana and Malta centre-forward Tony Cauchi, had made significant progress in the previous years.

When Cauchi took over in 1970, he immediately made it clear that he favoured a policy based on youth. Starting from the roots, he soon put together a crop of very talented youngsters.

Cauchi groomed his boys carefully as slowly, but surely, he led the team to a peak.

In 1970-71, Cauchi's first season with the club, the team finished at the wrong end of the table. Luckily, however, they were not relegated because the league was being restructured.

In 1971-72 and 1972-73, the team showed more promise. Finishing fourth on both occasions, the Mosta lads began to vindicate Cauchi's faith in them. By the start of season 1973-74, they were ready to challenge for promotion.

I would not like to leave anybody out but quoting from memory I remember Tony Grech, Charles Agius, Fenech and Borg Sant among the protagonists of that memorable season. Mosta also benefited from the valid contribution of veteran Frans Falzon. A Mosta product, Falzon returned to his first love after a long and successful career with Sliema Wanderers.

Mosta had a very good team that season but the league was really dominated by St George's.

The Saints had just returned to the Second Division after a short spell in the top flight and their experience stood them well. Mosta, however, held ground and at the end, they only finished three points behind the champions.

Both teams lost only one league match but while St George's drew five matches, Mosta had figured in eight stalemates. There was also total parity in the direct clashes, both games finishing 1-1.

The two protagonists were destined to meet again that year in the semi-finals of the Division Two Cup.

This interesting encounter was played on a Sunday morning, as was the custom in those days, in May.

Once again, there was very little to choose between the two teams.

Each side fought hard up to the final whistle but at the end the scoresheet was still blank and the game had to be decided by penalties.

Perhaps, because of their experience, the Saints shaped up better to the ordeal than their opponents. They finally managed to win the shoot-out 4-2.

In the final, St George's went on to beat neighbours Senglea 2-0.