Sliema Hs stop Young Stars' unbeaten start

Hunters' Tower Young Stars surrendered their unbeaten start when losing to Sliema Hotsticks 2-1 on Sunday. In the other game, champions Rabat struggled to overcome Britannia Tours White Hart by a solitary goal.

Young Stars were the only team to beat Rabat last term but they were also the only side to concede three defeats (out of three) against the Hotsticks. In those defeats, which effectively shattered their title hopes, Young Stars let in five goals, four of which were scored by Liam Pace.

On Sunday, Pace was back to haunt them as he scored the two goals that snapped Young Stars' unbeaten start to the season and at the same time sent Sliema to the top of the standings alongside Rabat.

There wasn't much between the two sides. Arguably, Young Stars had the better possession but Sliema mounted a strong barrier in midfield and their counter attacking was lethal.

Sliema carved out their first chance after 10 minutes but Abdilla in the Young Stars goal, blocked Pace. A few minutes later, Pace was at it again only that this time he sent the ball past the Young Stars goalkeeper to give his side the lead.

Young Stars made a strong reaction but for all their hard work, they rarely came within sight of goal.

The second half started with Mallia saving twice off Hughes but on 17 minutes, Young Stars equalised. Following a short corner, a scorching hit from David Attard, destined to finish wide, took a deflection off a defender's stick and left Mallia stranded.

Strengthened by their equaliser, Young Stars went for the killer goal but Sliema regrouped and four minutes from time, it was they who took all three points.

Simon Baldacchino outpaced his marker and sent in a cross that Pace literally flung himself at to hit one of the best goals seen at Corradino.

In the second game, patience was the key word for Rabat who had to contend with a White Hart side determined to kickstart their league campaign.

In the end, Britannia Tours WH went down to a solitary goal scored 15 minutes from time.

The absence of David Agius is no longer news but on Sunday they were also without Giancarlo Torpiano whose solid play on the right side usually allows White Hart to break out so effectively from defence.

An early White Hart short corner saw Simon Agius hit just wide. A few minutes later, White Hart's goalkeeper Galea pulled off the first of numerous saves, blocking what looked like a certain goal from Seychell.

Five consecutive short corners for Rabat failed to produce anything but finally White Hart cracked as Josef Antonelli and Jason Vella combined beautifully for the former to tuck the ball past Galea.

The first round of the league comes to a close on Sunday with Sliema facing Qormi at 9 a.m and Rabat up against Young Stars at 11 a.m.