Qormi Poiatti 6
Young Stars 4
(after extra-time)
This end-of-season Hockey Association of Malta knock-out final proved to be one of the most exciting contests down the years as both contenders showed passion and commitment in a high-tempo game at Corradino.
Young Stars went ahead within the first minute when Christian Bonello whizzed down the left flank and let fly a bullet into the far corner of the net.
Qormi, the league champions, reacted quickly, applying pressure on their opponents’ defence.
After missing a clear chance, they won a penalty corner on 21 minutes and Juan Sarcia netted to level the scores.
On 23 minutes, Thomas Degiovanni entered the Stars’ D from the left but his effort from an angle hit the far post.
Qormi were then awarded a penalty stroke and Sarcia scored from the spot to send them into a 2-1 lead which they held until the half-time whistle blew.
Within a minute after the restart, the score became 3-1 when Steve Tanti flowed into the D on an individual run and shot the ball into the far corner of the net.
Qormi were awarded another penalty stroke on 38 minutes but this time Sarcia missed from the spot.
At the other end, Young Stars were awarded a penalty corner and Mark Camilleri scored to reduce the arrears.
The game ebbed and flowed with gaps opening up but the teams gave no quarter and on 50 minutes Edward Hughes hit a tremendous volley from the top of the D to draw the Stars level at three-all.
The stalemate did not last long though as Sarcia soon grabbed his hat-trick when he scored as a result of a penalty corner action to send his team into a 4-3 lead.
Young Stars reacted strongly, winning four penalty corners to no avail. However, they were successful on their fifth attempt just before the final whistle when Camilleri netted his second to send the cup final into extra-time.
More drama unfolded as John Williams pushed home his shot to put Qormi ahead five minutes after the second restart.
The Stars tried hard to save the match but a minute from time Degiovanni put this high-scoring encounter to bed when he netted with a gem of a stroke from the top of the D for Qormi to clinch the cup and round up a memorable double this season.
Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Raymond Micallef.