Qormi end 16-year wait for title

Pasta Poiatti Qormi 2
Young Stars 0

Pasta Poiatti Qormi saw off Mr Clean Young Stars to secure the national league title after a lapse of 16 years. This championship is the fourth in Qormi's 39-year history.

The match was balanced with the Stars giving their opponents a good run for their money. In the first half, Qormi forced a number of short corners which were all controlled by a well-marshalled Young Stars defence.

Seven minutes after the restart, Saul Halladay's powerful hit looked destined to reach the top corner of the net but it was deflected over the bar by defender Christian Bonello.

Qormi took the lead on 47 minutes through a somewhat lucky goal by John Borg.

Floriana's reaction was immediate as they pinned their opponents in their own half. Chris Attard had a golden opportunity to level the score but his double effort was saved by Ramon Chircop.

Young Stars kept up the momentum but could not create clear chances. Qormi sealed the issue on 58 minutes with a well-orchestrated move involving Philip Magri, Halladay and John Williams, the latter slamming in the ball for goal no.2.

The Stars did try to fight back but their efforts were held off by the Qormi defence.

Sliema Hotsticks 2
White Hart 1

White Hart were nowhere close to the form they showed in previous matches and suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of a more determined Sliema side. All in all the match was scrappy and goalmouth action was scarce.

Sliema forged ahead early on thanks to a solo effort by Lukas Plaehn who beat Vassallo Agius with his second attempt after his first was saved by the goalkeeper.

White Hart's reaction was immediate. They managed to scramble in a goal through Kevin Filletti on 25 minutes.

Just inside the fourth minute of the second half, Sliema scored what proved to be the winning goal. A high ball from inside the Sliema defence was chased by Simon Baldacchino who put in a cross just before the ball went over the goal line. Gutierrez was at hand to neatly flick the ball over Vassallo Agius.

White Hart did try to put their act together but it was not their day. Sliema, on their part, were now relying on counter-attacks, creating several scoring opportunities.

However, their attackers were not sharp enough to put away their chances.