Floriana Young Stars to face Rabat Depiro in KO semifinal

Laferla White Hart 1 Floriana Young Stars 4

Umpires: Luke Busuttil Leaver, Keith Calleja True to Knock Out tradition, this game lived up to expectations especially since White Hart had got the better of Young Stars by the odd goal in three, just a couple of weeks ago.

After early exchanges when both teams missed penalty corner opportunities around the 12 minute mark, Young Stars started to dominate midfield exchanges and broke the deadlock when, on 18 minutes, Owen Gatt pushed home from close range to send Young Stars into a 1-0 lead.

Luke Borg Costanzi came close to increasing their lead on 22 minutes when his shot from the top of the D caressed the far post.

Then Ramon Chircop, White Hart’s custodian denied Young Stars going further ahead by saving two goal bound efforts. On 30 minutes Borg Costanzi flicked the ball over the bar from close range meeting a high cross from the right flank.

The half time whistle blew, seeing Young Stars maintain their 10 advantage.

Young Stars started the second half in determined fashion but on 41 minutes, in a swift counter attack, White Hart drew level when in a copy book move which developed from the top of the D down the left flank David Agius produced a vintage reverse stick hit to net from a very tight angle.

Play flowed from end to end with defensive play being left to the wind and Young Stars took full advantage of the situation when on 58 minutes Mark Camilleri shot them into a 2 -1 lead from a penalty corner action.

On 62 minutes he grabbed his second and Young Stars third following a similar penalty corner action and four minutes later he blasted the ball into the top of the net, completing his hat-trick and giving his team a 4-1 victory sending them into a semi final berth against Rabat Depiro on Sunday.

This fixture will be preceded by the other semi final between Lightshop Hotsticks and Qormi Poiatti.