Vella hat-trick sinks battling Qormi

Rabat Depiro 3
Poiatti Qormi 1

In one of the best games so far this season, Rabat Depiro overcame stiff opposition from Poiatti Qormi and beat them 3-1 to join Sliema Hotsticks at the top of the standings.

Qormi's Martin Azzopardi was the first goalkeeper tested when he had to block Josef Antonelli who was put through by Radojevic. Qormi responded well and in the space of a few minutes came close to drawing first blood.

First, Robert Aquilina somehow stopped a powerful strike from Frank Bugeja on the goal line, with goalkeeper Ian Azzopardi beaten, and a few minutes later Bugeja saw the Rabat goalkeeper keeping out his shot at goal.

After 20 minutes, Rabat struck from their first short corner move.

The Qormi keeper saved Radojevic's hit, but Jason Vella was quickest onto the rebound to net the first goal.

Two minutes from the break Rabat doubled as Seychell and Antonelli combined well down the left to set up Vella who squeezed the ball past Azzopardi.

Poiatti started the second half putting pressure on the champions and with them pushing forward it was inevitable that Rabat's fast breaks would be dangerous.

Qormi failed to breach the Rabat defence and on the half hour were made to pay the price as once again Seychell, and this time Micallef, combined well to pick up an unmarked Vella who gleefully notched his hat-trick.

Bugeja did finally get on the mark when he fired in a consolation goal for Qormi right on the stroke of time.

Umpires: Reno Cremona and Liam Pace.

Young Stars HT 3
Britannia Tours WH 2

Young Stars kept their title hopes intact when they shrugged off the challenge of a resilient Britannia Tours White Hart.

Although much of the first half was played in midfield, it was Young Stars who enjoyed more of the possession and created the best scoring chances.

David Evans had an excellent game for the yellows and was causing all sorts of problems for the White Hart defence.

After 21 minutes, Chris Bonello drove through the White Hart defence and was fouled. From the penalty stroke Evans made no mistake to put his side in the lead.

White Hart failed to react and it was Evans who forced Galea into a good save. On 29 minutes Young Stars added another goal when Edward Hughes was allowed to pick out the unmarked Nicky Agius Darmanin whose hit from the top of the dee beat Galea.

White Hart started the second half stronger and after seven minutes they pulled a goal back when Mario Falzon beat Mizzi from close range.

Their joy, however, was short-lived as three minutes later Mark Camilleri consolidated his position as league top scorer with a goal from a short corner move.

White Hart kept at their game though and in the 16th minute the score was 3-2 when Luke Borg Costanzi finished off a well-worked short corner move.

As happened to them on previous occasions, White Hart seem to back off once they get close to saving the game. In fact, it was Young Stars who came closest to scoring through Chris Attard and Evans.

Umpires: Ray Micallef and Robert Aquilina.

The next games assume a certain importance as the second round approaches its end. Four matches remain two of which are direct clashes. On Sunday, Rabat face White Hart and Sliema will then be up against Young Stars.

The following Sunday fixtures, Rabat vs Young Stars and Sliema vs Qormi, will conclude the second round.