Malta. The tiniest league in Europe – only 8 teams. Maltese football was entirely local drama, occasionally played to the fullest: the last match of the championship, between Rabat Ajax and Valletta, was abandoned after pitch invasion. Later it was replayed behind closed doors and Rabat Ajax won 2-0. Still, there is uncertainty to this very day – some sources tell that Valletta was punished with 1 point deduction, others so not. One may say that was all that happened in the Maltese season.
Marsa FC and
Sliema Wanderers got promoted from the Second Division. It was just as small as the top league and because of relegation and promotion only half of the participants remained for the next season. But the winners were happy, going up.
The top league was played in two stages – at first regular one-leg championship, followed by divided stage – the top 4 teams proceeded to the final two-legged round-robin battle for the title and lower 4 to the same format, trying to escape relegation. Points from the first phase were not carried over, but seemingly it did not matter. St. Patrick and Birkirkara were too weak, finishing last in both stages, far behind the others. They went down.
Since the league was small no matter in which phase, there was no way for building big difference in points, but the usual favourite was on top of things all the way. Rabat Ajax put some fight in the final stage – they were 4th in the first – but even after winning the replay they were unable to catch with Valletta. Worse – even if Valletta really had a point deducted for the pitch invasion, Rabat Ajax was still second: the points would be equal, but Valletta had superior goal-difference.
So, Valletta collected one more Maltese title and if there was anything significant – or curious – about it, it was the unthinkable today sponsor of the club: the whiskey producers Teacher’s displayed their add on the shirts. Did the drink helped Valletta win? Did not prevent them from winning, that was sure.
The Cup final opposed Zurrieq to Hamrun Spartans. Now, this was high drama – the final ended scoreless after overtime. Then the replay went into overtime and only at this late time Hamrun Spartans scored the only goal of the two games and grabbed the Cup.
Zurrieq, a modest by Maltese standards club, was most unlucky this season – fist they ended in the relegation group only on worse goal-difference. Then they lost the Cup in most dramatic circumstances . So close both times and disappointed at the end.
Hamrun Spartans did well, although they seemingly gave up on the championship (2nd in the first phase and 3rd in the final standing). Zurrieq was tough enough opponent, but they prevailed in the Cup final and ended the season victorious.