Rabat secure fourth title

Following their 1-1 draw against Young Stars, Punch & Judy Rabat (picture) have opened an unassailable lead at the top of the league standings and assured themselves of their fourth title with two matches to spare.

Rabat's umpteenth success this year is definitely a legitimate one, especially when considering their excellent form in first two rounds. The champions notched up eight victories in as many matches.

Their strong start to the season allied with their opponents' failure to keep up the pace, meant that, at the start of the third and final round, Rabat needed one point from their last four matches to seal the title.

They slipped up at their first attempt, going down 1-0 to The Athlete's Foot. But the point they needed did come at the second attempt thanks to a 1-1 draw with Young Stars.

A fourth-minute goal from Shaun Falzon did a lot to settle their nerves and even though Chris Bugeja's equaliser in the second half may have caused them some anxious moments, the final whistle allowed Punch & Judy to celebrate in style.

Robert Aquilina's team has certainly come of age. Four league wins in six years speak volumes of the high levels this squad has reached.

It would be unfair to mention or pinpoint any particular player but certainly their midfield was Rabat's strongest area with Robert Aquilina, Kevin Micallef and Josef Antonelli the lynchpins of their play. Mention must also be made of league top scorer Jonathan Seychell.

Punch & Judy's achievement overshadowed in some way Pasta Poiatti's first victory of the season.

The Qormi team registered a significant 4-1 victory over The Athlete's Foot who were forced to field an inexperienced side due to the absence of some key players.

Sliema suffered two early goals through Sandro Bartolo and Reno Bianchi and despite pulling a goal back before half-time through Henry Cachia, they rarely threatened the Pasta Poiatti goal. Another brace from Bianchi completed Pasta Poiatti's 4-1 success.

Bianchi's hat-trick was a just reward for his excellent performance with the cherry on the cake being his third goal - a lofted ball that sailed under the bar with goalkeeper Mallia caught in no man's land.

The league continues on Sunday with the most important game being that between The George Pub and Young Stars, a match that will go a long way to deciding who will take the runner-up place. At 11 a.m. Pasta Poiatti end their commitments against Punch & Judy.

Leading scorers: eight goals - Jonathan Seychell (Punch & Judy); five goals - Luke Busutill Leaver (The George Pub), Chris Bugeja (Young Stars).