Standing: E Borg, E Vassallo, S Plaehn, L Plaehn, S Portelli, A Imbroll, R Dalli, K Scicluna, E Lee Vassallo. Squatting: D Agius, R George, M Caruana Smith, S Grima, S Fiedler.

SLIEMA HOTSTICKS 4 (1) WHITE HART 3 (1)

Starting Formation: Farrugia Elton Lee, Imbroll Andrei, George Ryan, Vassallo Elton, Scicluna Keith, Caruana Smith Michael, Portelli Steve, Dalli Ryan, Grima Shaun, Plaehn Silas, Plaehn Lukas

Substitutes who Played: Borg Emile, Agius Daniel, Fiedler Sebastian

Scorers: Silas Plaehn (Keith Scicluna, Steve Portelli, Steve Portelli)

Umpires: Tony Tabone & Luke Busuttil Leaver

Disciplinary Measures: Michael Caruana Smith (2 Yellow Cards)

For the second time this season Sliema Hotsticks reached a cup final after beating White Hart in the semi-final of the Knock-Out competition. They will play Qormi in two weeks’ time. This will be their fourth final since Coach Imbroll took the helm of the team. So far, none of the previous three were successful, however, the team has now two weeks to prepare aqequately for this encounter.

Hotsticks started this match strongly and could have closed the match inside the first twenty minutes. They held on to some strong possession and came face to face with the goalkeeper several times. From one of these occasions it was S Plaehn who put his side deservedly ahead. Hotsticks kept control of the match but some overconfidence put the reds back in the game.

The second half was a very balanced affair with both teams going close to scoring. When everything seemed to be going Hotsticks’ way, White Hart levelled five minutes before the final whictle. With the match going into extra-time, both teams kept on trying to avoid the penalty strokes to no avail.

The penalty shoot out was a feast of emotions. L Plaehn stepped in to take the first penalty but saw his push hit the upright and it was White Hart took the lead. Captain Scicluna and Portelli netted from the spot but it was glory-time for goalkeeper Borg who managed to save three consecutive strokes. Hotsticks needed one goal out of their last two but both Caruana Smith and Dalli failed to convert. Sudden death had to determine who would be playing in the Final. Hotsticks’ Borg stood on the goal line and remained still, with his sight set on the ball. The push travelled to his right as he extended his arm to save with the tip of his stick. Hotsticks were close to winning the match but another goal was needed. Portelli stepped in to take the stroke and with the tension reaching the sky he ably placed the ball to the goalkeeper’s right. Hotsticks were in the Knock-Out Final.

For this match Hotsticks had a pleasant visit from Caruana Smith. Unfortunately, his stay will be short but Hotsticks will have back Rasterhoff and Bugeja for the Final.

Team Hotsticks

Team Hotsticks kicked off with a bang and registered three wins and a tie in their first outing. With Perth Grech and Miguel Bonnici in good form, Hotsticks managed to edge their opponents and take the lead on the first day of the Under-13 In-House League.

Team Stelmar are very close second with only three points behind and will surely challenge for the title. Captain Vella Vidal and his team mates offered a very strong challenge and only missed out on one game.

Team Sliema stand in third position but with a number of players back with the team, they will surely have their say in the next matches.

Team Sliema 0 Team Hotsticks 1 (Miguel Bonnici)
Team Hotsticks 1 (Perth Grech) Team Stelmar 1 (Malcolm Vella Vidal)
Team Stelmar 2 (Baastian Rasterhoff, Christ Agius) Team Sliema 1 (Luke Bonello)
Team Hotsticks 2 (Perth Grech 2) Team Sliema 1 (Nicky Farrugia)
Team Stelmar 0 Team Hotsticks 2 (Miguel Bonnici, Perth Grech)
Team Sliema 1 (Alessandro Amore) Team Stelmar 3 (Malcolm Vella Vidal, Alec Newell, Benjie Farrugia)

Team Hotsticks 10 Pts
Team Stelmar 7 Pts
Team Sliema 0 Pts

Scorers
4 Grech Perth

2 Bonnici Miguel
   Vella Vidal Malcolm

1 Agius Christ
   Amore Alessandro
   Bonello Luke
   Farrugia Nicky
   Farrugia Benjie
   Newell Alec
   Rasterhoff Baastian

SLIEMA HOTSTICKS 3 YOUNG STARS 1

Starting Formation: Borg Emile, Imbroll Andrei, George Ryan, Vassallo Elton, Scicluna Keith, Bugeja Michael, Portelli Steve, Gauci Leanne, Rasterhoff Ludolf, Grima Shaun, Agius Daniel

Substitutes who Played: Farrugia Elton

Scorers: Keith Scicluna, Ludolf Rasterhoff, Shaun Grima

Umpires: Tony Tabone & Luke Busuttil Leaver

Disciplinary Measures: Nil

Sliema confirmed their positive form with yet another win, this time against Young Stars. Though fielding a heavily depleted side, with no less than eight players missing, Hotsticks performed well and deservedly emerged winners from this encounter.

The first fifteen minutes were somehow chaotic and it came as no surprise that the Floriana side went ahead following a counter break. Once the squad settled with strict marking and tactical discipline the story changed in their favour. Pressure started building up in the Young Stars defence and towards the end of the half Imbroll won a penalty stroke following a good drive into the Floriana rearguard. With Plaehn missing, Captain Scicluna stepped in to take the hit. It was an opportunity for Scicluna to score his first-ever goal and he did it in great style sending the ball to one side and the goalkeeper to the other.

The second half kicked off in a totally different fashion with Rasterhoff, Grima and debutant Agius creating havoc in the Young Stars defence. Sliema managed to build a two-goal advantage inside the first fifteen minutes from as many short corners thanks to Rasterhoff and Grima who both received acurate passes from Imbroll.

With twenty minutes to go the risk was that the team would relax but not today. Hotsticks pride and determination were at their best. The team remained compact and strong and, nothwithstanding the warm weather, they fought on every ball leaving nothing to their opponents.

The next competition is the Knock-Out where Hotsticks were drawn to play White Hart in the semi-final on Sunday 20th May.

Hotsticks have also recruited dutch player Jesse Nouwens who will team up with Rasterhoff. Though both newcomers are not in top form they will certainly add the much-needed experience to the squad.

Following a season marked by serious injuries the side is now looking forward to a good performance in the Knock-Out competition.

Starting Formation: Borg Emile, Portelli Steve, George Ryan, Gauci Leanne, Galea Matthew, Grech Dylan, Cacopardo Dario, Agius Daniel, Vella Gabriel

Substitutes who Played: Grima Shaun, Vella Juan,

Umpires: John Williams & Manuel Imbroll

Disciplinary Measures: Nil

Scorer: Cacopardo Dario

Starting Formation: Farrugia Elton Lee, Imbroll Andrei, George Ryan, Vassallo Elton, Scicluna Keith, Bugeja Michael, Portelli Steve, Dalli Ryan, Gauci Leanne, Rasterhoff Ludolf, Grima Shaun

Substitutes who Played: Borg Emile, Plaehn Silas, Cacopardo Dario

Scorer: Ludolf Rasterhoff

Umpires: Tony Tabone & Ronald Kranjcec

Disciplinary Measures: Nil

Rasterhoff’s second goal in as many matches won Hotsticks a well deserved point against the newly crowned champions. It was however a strong collective effort that gave rise to what was surely one of the team’s best performances so far this season.

Following the recent win against Rabat, the Sliema side effected some changes to the initial formation fielding Bugeja, Portelli and mastermind Rasterhoff in the heart of play. The flanks were efficiently closed down by Dalli and captain Scicluna who battled for every ball. Vassallo and Imbroll took hold of the defense with the strong-growing George adding freshness to the rearguard. Up front, Gauci, Grima, Plaehn and Cacopardo exchanged play and gave their contribution both in attack and in defense. Between posts, last but not least, Farrugia and Borg transmitted security to the rest of the team and were at their best when called to intervene.

Contrary to what had been expected, it was a balanced affair throughout. Hotsticks had nothing to lose and Qormi had to avoid defeat in order to win the title for a third consecutive time. Caution prevailed during the first thirty-five minutes with both goalkeepers rarely being called in action. Everything indicated it would be a goalless first half but two minutes from time Qormi opened the score.

Having broken the deadlock everything should have been easier for the yellows. But Hotsticks had other plans on the day and did not lose their composure. Sliema started strong and won a number of shortcorners. After failing miserably on the first two, Imbroll intelligently set-up Portelli to his right. His shot was initially saved by the goalkeeper but Rasterhoff rushed on the rebound to tap in the equaliser. This goal injected further confidence in the Hotsticks clan and towards the end the same Rasterhoff could have sealed an unexpected win but missed by a nothing.

Today’s match had a different meaning and the positive performance of the squad is dedicated to the memory of Norbert Schembri, a dear friend of the Hotsicks’ family who sadly passed away earlier this week. Sliema Hotsticks extend their condolences to Kyle, Mariella and the Schembri family.

SLIEMA HOTSTICKS 1 YOUNG STARS 0
(Luke Bonello)

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather, openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHl4M2D6YUE&feature=related