Young Stars, The George Pub to contest final

The semi-finals of the KO competition were played on Sunday. Holders Young Stars ousted league champions Rabat Depiro while The George Pub made heavy weather of overcoming an understrength Pasta Poiatti Qormi.

Rabat Depiro 1
Young Stars 2

Young Stars registered their first victory over Rabat this season, following their disappointment in the league. In the preliminary round they came from behind to beat Athlete`s Foot 2-1 and on Sunday they secured victory thanks to a golden goal.

Young Stars were quickly off the mark and after barely four minutes they took the lead when Jonathan Ellul finished off a fine move by Charles Micallef and David Evans.

Rabat were sluggish in their play but Young Stars, despite their initial pressure, could not increase their lead. The game flowed from one side to another but as time went by Young Stars seemed happy to defend their lead. This tactic, however, backfired as ten minutes from time, Aldo Gatt equalised for Depiro.

At this stage Young Stars goalkeeper Mizzi was the protagonist with a couple of fine saves. However, in the final minute it was Magro who almost won it for Young Stars but his deflection sailed over the bar.

The first period of extra-time started on a slow pace but on six minutes, from a short corner, Chris Attard fired in an unstoppable hit which sent his side into the final.

The George Pub 2
Pasta Poiatti Qormi 1

The George Pub made heavy weather of beating a depleted Pasta Poiatti side. With the exception of Brian Tortell, The George Pub were able to field their best formation while their opponents had to renounce to a number of first team players.

As expected, The George Pub took the initiative and the early stages of the game saw them launching attack after attack in the hope of settling the match quickly in their favour.

Obviously, when this did not come the confidence of the Pasta Poiatti players began to grow and with Magri, Seychell and Cremona working tirelessly in midfield they started to cause some anxious moments to the Pembroke team`s defence.

When Radojevic found the net early on in the half, The George Pub breathed a sigh of relief. Pasta Poiatti were hardly in a position to change their style of play and The George Pub kept up the initiative.

The one-goal lead was never safe enough and only when Filletti scored a rare goal to make it 2-0 could The George Pub relax their hold.

A penalty for Pasta Poiatti, converted by Seychell, served to make the final moments somewhat anxious but the final whistle soon cut short any hopes that Pasta Poiatti might had to take the game to extra-time.

Sunday`s final starts at 10 a.m. If no winner emerges after normal time, extra-time will be played. If a golden goal is not scored, the match will be replayed the following Sunday.