Floriana Young Stars 2
Rabat Depiro 0

Chances were scarce early on, with both defences on top.

Young Stars adopted their possession tactics while Rabat defended in depth, using counter-attacks down the flanks.

Both teams were awarded three penalty corners each but did not take advantage. Most of the play was conducted in midfield with no quarter asked or given, and no goals scored at half-time.

In the second half, the game ebbed and flowed with gaps opening as both teams did their utmost.

Rabat’s counter-attacks spelt menace and on two occasions, it was Young Stars’ Andrew Camilleri who saved the day with two timely last-ditch tackles.

On 53 minutes, Young Stars were awarded a penalty corner. Shaun Falzon, trying to save in extremis with his goalkeeper beaten, inadvertently made contact with the ball before it crossed the dreaded line, conceding a penalty stroke to his opponents.

Camilleri stepped up and pushed the ball from the spot  high into the top of the net to give Young Stars a 1-0 lead.

Rabat doubled their efforts to get back into the game and went very close with Kevin Micallef’s cross-shot just shaving the far post.

Young Stars then broke away in the final minute, catching the Rabat defence  upfield and Elton Cutajar shot home  to give his team a 2-0 victory.

Umpires: Manuel Imbroll, John Williams.

Standings
Floriana 5; Qormi Poiatti 3; Lightshop Hotsticks 2; Rabat Depiro, Laferla White Hart 0.