[attach id=489412 size="medium"]A tight race for the end-of-season play-offs is anticipated in the men’s championship this season. Photo: Julian Calleja[/attach]

Laferla White Hart 1
Qormi Poiatti 5

Kyle Micallef shot Qormi into the lead on 10 minutes when he picked up a rebound off the White Hart custodian’s pads.

A few minutes later Qormi hit the bar, the ball bouncing back into play.

White Hart hit back and after forcing Shameson Mifsud, Qormi’s goalkeeper, to a couple of smart saves, on 28 minutes Fran-cesco Lombardo found a way through to level matters.

The second half took a different turn. On 48 minutes Thomas De-giovanni sent the league leaders back in front, netting with an effort from the top of the D.

Micallef hit a third on 54 minutes and Juan Sarcia then converted a penalty stroke to increase Qormi’s lead to 4-1.

Zachary Degiovanni netted Qormi’s fifth, a couple of minutes before the final whistle blew.

Umpires: James Mizzi, Reno Cremona.

Rabat 0
Lightshop Hotsticks 2

After a low-key opening by both teams, the first chance of the match fell to the Hotsticks when on 16 minutes Silas Plaehn hit the Rabat crossbar, after meeting a cross from the right flank.

Rabat, well marshalled at the back, were dependent on counter attacks which were well orchestrated by their midfielder Kevin Micallef.

Sliema Hotsticks did not take advantage of two penalty corners towards the end of the first half, the whistle sounding with the score goalless.

The second half provided better fare though.

After not availing themselves of a penalty corner, Hotsticks made amends on 46 minutes when Shaun Grima put them ahead from a similar set piece situation.

The Hotsticks continued to apply pressure, dominating midfield exchanges and were awarded a penalty stroke on 55 minutes but Steve Portelli hit the post with his effort.

However, the Hotsticks went 2-0 up on 60 minutes when Por-telli hit a reverse stick shot from the top of the D, the ball entering the net off the post.

The game almost boiled over, due to some tough tackling during the final phase, with the Sliema team playing out time to seal the victory.

Umpires: Raymond Micallef, Andre Ghio.

Standings
Qormi Poiatti 12; Lightshop Hotsticks 9; Floriana Young Stars 6; Laferla White Hart 4; Rabat 1.