Rabat edge out Young Stars as Athlete's Foot change coach

The build-up for Sunday's game was hardly encouraging for The Athlete's Foot. Following a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Punch & Judy Rabat, they were faced with the resignation of coach Manuel Imbroll.

Former coach Tony Caruana Smith was roped in to lead the side against fellow strugglers Pasta Poiatti Qormi. The latter, despite their good run in the Challenge Cup, have had their fair share of problems as well.

Coach Ian Crockford, however, fielded a valid side that gave a good account of itself despite finishing on the losing end again.

The Athlete's Foot started on attack and took a 20th minute lead thanks to a penalty stroke from Keith Vella after Andrew Monaghan was impeded in the dee.

Qormi reacted well and forced a series of short corners that brought the best out of Luke Mallia in the Sliema goal. Inevitably, Pasta Poiatti equalised with Sandro Bartolo scoring after The Athlete's Foot failed to clear a short corner. However, on the stroke of half-time Sliema regained the lead when Liam Pace turned into the net a Shawn Mifsud cross.

The second half was evenly balanced with Qormi pressing for another equaliser. But from a swift break, with ten minutes to go, Steven Cachia scored his first ever goal in the national championship for Sliema to make it a definitive 3-1.

In the other match Punch & Judy Rabat picked up three precious points against Young Stars in their bid to retain the championship crown.

Young Stars had Charles Micallef back but Rabat had Player of the Year Robert Aquilina missing. As usual, in games between these two sides the contest is always balanced.

In the early stages it was Rabat who drew first blood when Jonathan Seychell finished off a short corner move aided in no small way by a mix-up in the opponents' defence.

Young Stars had their scoring chances but the Rabat goalkeeper was in top form. Chris Bugeja then crowned an excellent performance by scoring his team's second goal with a penalty stroke in the second half.

The league continues on Sunday with two other matches - The George Pub vs Young Stars and Rabat vs Qormi.