White Hart 1
Young Stars 1

The game was off to a frenetic start 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 third and 14th minute, Young Stars gained the upperhand but were thwarted by a vintage goalkeeping display by Robert Vassallo Agius who blocked attempts by Luke Busuttil Leaver, Ivan Magro and Christian Bonello.

On 26 minutes, a fine move 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, David Agius unleashed a fierce reverse hit towards goal but James Mizzi saved.

Early in the second half, Young Stars forced two short corners but were kept at bay by the White Hart defence. Nine minutes after the restart, White Hart conceded when a harmless hit by Charles Micallef from the top of the D was deflected into goal by Clifford DeRaffaele.

After this setback, White Hart came back to their senses and, took control of midfield and pinned Young Stars in their own half.

It came as no surprise when Patrick Meli, the White Hart stopper, was rewarded for his persistence when guiding the ball into the net to earn his side a deserved equaliser.

Rabat 2
Sliema Hs 1

Comparing this match to the previous one, this seemed a scrappy affair with both sides, especially Rabat, showing no sense or method in their play.

Notwithstanding all this, Rabat forged ahead after five minutes when Charlot Antonelli's reverse hit caught Luke Mallia in goal on the wrong foot.

Three minutes later, Rabat doubled their lead when Shawn Falzon was fouled when on the verge of hitting at goal. From the resultant penalty stroke, Chris Bugeja flicked the ball home.

At this stage, one expected Rabat to notch another tennis score but Hotsticks had other ideas, Simon Baldacchino twice going close to reducing the deficit for his team.

In the second half, Hotsticks stepped up their efforts and after a series of attacks, they won a penalty stroke for a foul committed on Stephen Cachia. Shawn Mifsud took his chance well by placing the ball beyond Azzopardi's reach.

Rabat should have been awarded a penalty stroke 24 minutes into the second half when it seemed that Hotsticks defender Scicluna deliberately kicked the ball when this was destined for goal. Umpire James Mizzi thought otherwise.

Chris Bugeja then saved the day for Rabat when blocking a goalbound shot by Fritz Langelotz.

The National Championship will continue on January 13 with the following fixtures: Rabat vs Qormi and White Hart vs Sliema Hotsticks.

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