White Hart 1

Young Stars 1

(HT 0-0)

Umpires - Sam Naismith, Marc Hardy

The game started off on a fast note and already in the second minute White Hart had a hit from Simon Agius saved on the line by Ivan Magro following a Short Corner action.

Between the 3rd and 14th minute Young Stars took the upper hand and hadn’t it been for a vintage goalkeeping display by Robert Vassallo Agius the story would have been quite different from the final result, when he saved time and again attempts by Luke Busuttil Leaver, Ivan Magro and Christian Bonello.

On the 26th the very good work between Giancarlo Torpiano and Luke Borg Costanzi ended with a push shot from Pierre Bianchi missing the far post by inches.

On the verge of Half time it was David Agius who after finding space in the Young Stars area unleashed a fierce reverse hit towards goal which was ably saved by James Mizzi.

In the second half Young Stars started off well and taking control of midfield forced 2 short corners.

From the first it was Pat Meli standing on the goal line who denied Mark Camilleri from opening the score with a flick which was destined for the far top corner and Vassallo Agius beaten and from the second short corner it was Gabriel Rizzo who deflected a hard hit at goal by Edward Huges against the cross bar.

However on the 9th minute White Hart succumbed when a harmless hit by Charles Micallef from the top of the D was deflected into goal by an on rushing Clifford DeRaffaele.

After this setback White Hart came back to their senses and took control of midfield and pinned Young Stars inside their own half and it came as no surprise that they obtained a well deserved equaliser.

Patrick Meli the White Hart stopper finding ample space moved up with his attackers and on the 30th minute, after receiving a delicious pass from Luke Borg Costanzi just outside the shooting area, progressed towards goal, and although being tackled by two Young Stars defenders managed to push the ball hard and through into the opponents net to earn for his side a deserved equaliser.

Rabat 2

Hotsticks 1

(HT 2-0)

Umpires - Reno Cremona, James Mizzi

When comparing this match to the previous match this seemed a scrappy affair with both sides and especially Rabat showing no sense or method in their play.

Notwithstanding all this Rabat did manage to forge ahead when on the 5th Charlot Antonelli reverse hit caught Luke Mallia in goal on the wrong foot.

On the 8th Rabat doubled when Shawn Falzon on the verge of hitting at goal was fouled and from the resultant penalty stroke Chris Bugeja flicked the ball high into the top left hand corner.

At this stage one expected that Rabat were going to notch another tennis score but Hotsticks had other ideas and on the 15th Simon Baldacchino was unlucky to see his reverse tap go past the Rabat goalkeeper with the ball missing the upright by millimeters.

On the 16th the same player again saw his effort saved by Ian Azzopardi after having been set up by Liam Pace.

In the second half Hotsticks came out fighting like lions and after a series of attacks managed to win a penalty stroke for a foul committed on Stephen Cachia. Shawn Mifsud took his chance well by placing the ball out of Azzopardi’s reach.

In the 24th Rabat should have been awarded a penalty stroke when it seemed that Hotsticks Defender Scicluna deliberately kicked the ball when this was destined for goal. The umpire James Mizzi thought otherwise.

On the 30th it had to be Chris Bugeja to save the day for Rabat when a pinpoint pass by Liam Pace to Fritz Langelotz saw the latter rounding the goalkeeper and let loose a reverse hit which was miraculously saved by Bugeja on the goal line.

The Championship will now continue on the 13th January with the following fixtures:

Rabat vs. Qormi

White Hart vs. Hotsticks.