Young Stars and Qormi move into Challenge Cup semis

Young Stars 3
Rabat Depiro 1

Rabat Depiro applied pressure on Young Stars early on in this Challenge Cup group match at Corradino, winning three penalty corners in the first 15 minutes and coming very close to scoring.

Slowly, but surely, Young Stars worked their way back into the game. Their growing dominance saw them score two goals in quick succession.

The first, in the 26th minute, was a deflected effort which went in off a defender’s stick following a Christian Bonello shot in a melee in front of goal.

The second Young Stars goal, three minutes later, came following a well-worked move rounded off by Marvin Vella.

Rabat looked stunned and although they forced two penalty corners before half-time, the score remained unchanged.

Young Stars seized the initiative early in the second half and went further ahead in the 49th minute when Vella notched his second to make it 3-0.

Despite this setback, Rabat reacted strongly. They won seven short corners in the last 20 minutes but only managed to pull one back in the 65th minute through Jason Vella.

Thanks to this victory, Young Stars have now qualified for the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Umpires: Paul Brincat, Manuel Imbroll.

White Hart 0
Qormi 3

White Hart started this cup qualifier with a flourish but Qormi goalkeeper Ramon Chircop effected a brilliant save to deny them a certain goal from one of their three corners early on.

After a period of balanced play, it was Qormi who opened the scoring on 21 minutes through Jonathan Borg following a melee in the D from a penalty corner action.

Qormi maintained their slim lead up to the interval although White Hart finished the half on the attack.

Qormi increased their advantage in the 41st minute when Justin Bonello netted after another scramble in front of goal.

White Hart hit back, forcing four penalty corners in the next five minutes but were unable to break down Qormi’s defensive lines.

They were finally caught off balance when Julian Zahra scored Qormi’s third, shattering any hopes of a White Hart comeback.

Qormi have thus booked their place in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Umpires: Joseph Antonelli, Edward Hughes.