Sliema Hotsticks 1
Young Stars 2

As the battle for the title hots up, every game has a do-or-die cup-tie scenario.

On Wednesday, Hotsticks and Young Stars locked horns in centre pitch until midway in the first half when the Sliema team missed a half chance.

However, in the 20th minute, on winning their first penalty corner, Steve Portelli shot the Hotsticks ahead.

Young Stars reacted strongly.

After Sliema Hotsticks’ goalkeeper effected a save, diving to his left to parry a shot, Joseph Dalli equalised for Young Stars.

Dalli met a cross delivered from the right by Charles Micallef.

Young Stars took the lead four minutes into the second half when Clive Williams picked up the pieces and scored after the Hotsticks custodian had saved a shot from close range.

From then on, Young Stars retreated into their shell and defended their lead.

This gave Hotsticks an opportunity to exert pressure which increased as the game wore on.

Sliema did not take advantage of four penalty corners awarded around the 50th-minute mark and should have made it even scores on 60 minutes when Shawn Mifsud fluffed an easy chance.

In the end, Young Stars hung on for a hard-fought victory, heightening expectations ahead of their encounter with Qormi on Sunday.

Umpires: Paul Brincat, Luke Busuttil Leaver.

Standings

  Played Points
Qormi 10 18
Young Stars 11 18
Hotsticks 10 8
Rabat 11 8
White Hart 10 0

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