Sliema Hotsticks 3
Rabat 1
The first half did not produce much goalmouth action save that in the 12th minute when Silas Plaehn hit the post with a shot for Sliema Hotsticks.
Most of the action in this National League match was restricted to exchanges in midfield with Hotsticks enjoying more of the possession but not being able to breach Rabat’s defensive barrier.
The second half provided all the fireworks.
After Rabat missed an early chance as the match restarted, Julian Zahra shot Sliema into the lead and on 45 minutes Shaun Grima doubled Hotsticks’ advantage when finishing off a well executed move down the right flank.
Two minutes later Luca Sciusco netted from the top of the D to send his team 3-0 ahead.
Rabat did not throw in the towel and Shawn Falzon reduced the arrears as a result of a penalty corner action.
The tempo remained high but Hotsticks withstood Rabat’s efforts to preserve their lead and go top of the standings with six points.
Umpires: Edward Hughes and Raymond Micallef.
White Hart Laferla Insurance 2
Floriana Young Stars Remax 4
After a few early exchanges, when both teams missed a couple of half chances, Young Stars did not take advantage of two penalty corners awarded around the 20-minute mark but then Luke Borg Costanzi opened the scoring, slotting home from the top of the D.
The floodgates opened when, in the 26th minute, Joseph Dalli grabbed a second and two minutes later Jamie Mifsud shot his team into a 3-0 lead which they held comfortably until half-time.
White Hart played the second half with increased determination.
On 44 minutes, Andrew Camilleri, of Young Stars, was instrumental in deflecting a goalbound shot for a corner. Liam Azzopardi was unlucky not to score on two occasions but on 56 minutes he shot home as his team increased pressure on the Stars’ defence.
Just after Young Stars managed to clear a shot off the line, Azzopardi scored his second goal on 62 minutes to reduce the gap to 3-2.
Both teams threw caution to the wind, endeavouring to secure a result and a minute from time Young Stars were awarded a penalty stroke which Ivan Magro Dingli netted to give his team a hard-fought victory.
Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver and Paul Brincat.