Celtics YS 2
Pasta Poiatti 2

On Saturday, Celtics and Qormi fought out an interesting 2-2 draw. It was a balanced affair with both sides sharing possession and almost equal scoring opportunities. Pasta Poiatti had skipper Reuben Chircop back in the side after injury and eventually this proved to be a rewarding return.

Celtics took the lead late in the first half through leading scorer Chris Bugeja. Pasta Poiatti rallied strongly at the start of the second half and after a period of sustained pressure, they equalised through Daniel Micallef following a short corner move.

The game remained balanced and when Ryan Gatt put Celtics back in front late in the half it seemed that the Floriana side would take all three points.

Qormi, however, were not to be denied. Veteran Ray Micallef's cross was cleared by goalkeeper Abdilla right onto Chircop's stick who fired low into the Celtics' net for the equalising goal.

Sliema Hotsticks 3
The George Pub 2

Following some early balanced exchanges, Sliema took over the initiative and when Liam Pace found the net with a firm strike it seemed that Sliema were on the way to an easy victory.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as in a rare attack The George Pub were awarded a short corner. Bezzina's first hit was blocked and Agius's second try was on the way out when it deflected off Lentini's stick and trickled past Mallia.

As happened in the first round, it was the same Lentini who responded to this setback by scoring Sliema's second goal after the interval.

Sliema kept dominating the match and Pace sealed the issue with one of the best goals seen so far this year.

The George Pub had nothing to lose and managed to pull one back when Luke Borg Costanzi took advantage of a drop in concentration in the Sliema defence and got his side's second of the game. However, there was little time left and in the remaining minutes it was Sliema who seemed more likely to score.

Hunter's Tower YS 0
Punch & Judy Rabat 1

In the first round, Hunter's Tower completely outplayed Rabat and deservedly beat them 2-0. This time round the game unfolded into a different story.

Rabat started strongly and after barely five minutes they scored what was to be the all-important goal when Jonathan Seychell deflected a short corner past Mizzi.

Young Stars tried to rally immediately but Rabat were giving very little away and the Hunter's Tower forwards rarely got a sight of goal.

At the start of the second half, Rabat suffered a setback when Seychell was expelled but to their credit, the champions maintained their shape.

Young Stars upped the pressure in the final minutes but they couldn't break down the Rabat defence who left the field with three important points.

Tomorrow, Rabat face the other challengers, Sliema. The teams have met twice so far this season.

In the Challenge Cup, Rabat had emerged clear winners 4-1 but in the first round of the league it was Sliema who clinched a 2-1 victory.

Leading scorers: Josef Antonelli (Rabat), Liam Pace (Sliema) - nine goals.