Hunters Tower YS 1

Pasta Poiatti Qormi 1

Fresh from last week’s encouraging Super Cup win over Rabat Depiro, Qormi failed to produce that same kind of play which saw them almost embarrassing last year’s champions. On the other hand Young Stars seemed to be a more determined side: however they lacked punch up in front.

During the first half play was somewhat restricted to midfield with both sides producing confusing actions.

In the seventh minute Qormi won their first short corner which ended up with a brilliant reaction save by Young Stars goalkeeper Waylin Abdilla off Philip Magri’s reverse hit.

In the 34th minute Qormi could have opened the score when good work between Philip Magri and Joseph Cuschieri saw the latter hitting just wide when in a good position.

In the second half Young Stars started well and in the second minute won a short corner with Mark Camilleri bringing out the better of Ramon Chircop in goal. Young Stars kept on pressing and in the 13th minute they were awarded a penalty stroke, for an intentional foul on Edward Hughes by Qormi’s Andre Ghio. Ivan Magro stepped forward and converted the stroke in style. Score 1-0 to Young Stars.

Qormi’s reaction was immediate, and they surged forward for the equaliser. On the 25th minute they missed a golden opportunity through youngster Julian Zahra who failed to make contact with the ball with only the goalkeeper at his mercy, however they were not to be denied when in the 28th minute they won a free hit just inside the 23 metre area; the ball was hit towards goal, the Young Stars goalkeeper opted to stop the ball rather than letting it go over the goal line and in the melee that ensued Philip Magri was on hand to scramble the ball home.

* * *

Britannia Tours 4

Sliema Hs 0

With David Agius back after an absence of two seasons, and the ever maturing youngsters within the team, White Hart produced good hockey to eventually come out winners by beating Sliema Hotsticks 4 – 0.

Already in the second minute White Hart went one up, when from a short corner action Carl Tua flicked in a rebound after Luke Mallia in goal had saved on a Simon Agius hit.

In the fifth minute White Hart were awarded a free hit inside the 23 metre area which was taken by David Agius who pinpointed a lightening pass towards Carl Tua who slapped in a first time hit leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

White Hart kept up the rhythm and in the 25th minute trebled the score by a well taken hit by Simon Agius from a short corner action.

In the second half the game was well balanced with Sliema coming more into the picture and it had to be Andrew Galea, White Hart’s goalkeeper, to perform two good saves from two separate efforts by Sliema’s Lliam Pace, to keep his goal intact.

In the 23rd minute Robert Bianchi denied Sliema a consolation goal when he cleared the ball off the line with Galea beaten.

In the 34th minute White Hart were awarded a penalty which saw Luke Borg Costanzi’s stroke hitting the post, however, and just before the final whistle, he made amends by scoring White Hart’s fourth goal, with a powerful hit from just inside the shooting circle.