Sliema Hotsticks 1
Rabat 0

This Challenge Cup match at Corradino took some time to get the early action going before Hotsticks spurned a clear chance when Julian Zahra lifted the ball over the bar from close range.

A penalty corner was not availed of by Hotsticks and although they exerted further pressure they were not able to break down the Rabat defence for whom Shawn Falzon was a rock throughout the game.

From the 15th minute on-wards, Rabat crept back into the game and were soon awarded five penalty corners which they did not convert.

Hotsticks countered with fast breakaways down the flanks and were denied by Falzon when he cleared off the line following a penalty corner action.

A minute before half-time, Falzon was in action at the other end when from a penalty corner he hit the post with the Hotsticks goalkeeper well beaten.

The second half provided more thrills.

After winning a penalty corner two minutes into the second half, which was not converted, Hotsticks were awarded a penalty stroke in the 46th minute but Shaun Grima pulled the ball well wide of the post from the spot.

The game flowed from end to end and it was Rabat’s turn to go close on 64 minutes when they were denied by the keeper, spreading full length to smother an effort from close range.

But, a minute later Ryan George shot Hotsticks into the lead when he lashed on to a rebound from a melee in front of goal – a lead which they hung on to until the final whistle for a hard-earned win.

Umpires: Paul Brincat, Luke Busuttil Leaver.