Hockey: Rabat Depiro and Qormi ends in a draw
Ta’ Soldi Rabat Depiro H.C. vs Pasta Poiatti Qormi H.C. 1-1 (HT1-1)
Umpires: Reno Cremona & Michael Morgolien
For initial part of the first half Rabat were in complete command of midfield but for all their superiority rarely troubled Qormi’s Custodian Ramon Chircop. The first chance that came Rabat’s way was through an effort by James Azzopardi. On the 16th Rabat were awarded a penalty stroke for an infringement by Chircop with James Azzopardi converting to put his side one up. On the 23rd Chircop again denied Rabat to double the score when he saved a fierce slap shot by Azzopardi.
Qormi in the meantime were coming more into the picture and could have equalized on the 28th hadn’t the young Julian Zahra muffed a clear chance following a well executed counter attack by Steve Tanti and Phillip Magri. But the goal was in the air.
It was again Steve Tanti who won a ball in midfield, dribbled his way past several Rabat defenders and though his hit at goal was somewhat smothered, there was Jonathan Borg at hand to tap the ball home.
Qormi could have immediately doubled had it not been for a timely sortie by Rabat’s goalkeeper on Phillip Magri.
The second half was more or less on the same lines as that of the first, with Rabat still showing the upperhand and although winning no less than 6 short corners they did not manage to test Chircop once. On the other hand Qormi could have forged ahead on the 52nd minute but Jonathan Borg with the goal at his mercy completely fumbled his conclusion.
Mr. Clean Floriana Y.S. H.C. vs BDO Sliema Hotsticks 4-3 (HT 2-1)
Umpires: Anthony Tabone & Robert Aquilina.
This match had a fiery start and by the 3rd minute Floriana were already ahead. A number of well manoevred passes from left to right enabled Clifford Deraffaele to cross the ball to the unmarked Michael Margolien to slap hit the ball home.
Sliema’s reaction was immediate and it took them only three minutes to equalize. Lukas Plaehn won the ball inside the 22 meter area and with a mazy dribble made his way into the shooting area, where he fired a reverse hit. The ball was deflected over Waylin Abdilla to end into the corner of the net.
The following minutes were played mainly in midfield with Floriana showing the better touches. On the stroke of half time Floriana once again went ahead through a goal by Morgolien, who half volleyed a reverse hit following a miss-kicked clearance by Sliema’s goalkeeper.
After lemon time Floriana were again the better team and on the 46th minute went further ahead. From a melee that ensued in front of Sliema’s goal it was Nicky Agius Darmanin to take advantage of the situation to flick the ball over the goalkeeper into the net. On the 50 minute Floriana made it 4 -1 with an angled slap hit by Christian Bonello following a measured pass by David Evans.
The game seemed to be over and done with, however Sliema had other thoughts and on the 60th pulled one back through Lukas Plaehn from the spot and on the 68th they again managed to reduce the score line when Shaun Mifsud made it 4 – 3 from yet another penalty stroke. They still had a chance to save the game when they managed to force a last gasp Short Corner only for Waylin Abdilla to deny them the pleasure.
