Sirens Ritter Sport     4     Valletta McDonalds     11          

(0-1, 1-2, 3-2, 0-6)

The game was petering out to a tame finish when Valletta then scored their ninth goal less than ninety seconds from the end. All of a sudden an altercation ensued in front of the Sirens' goal, with the consequence that the Sirens custodian, Nicky Grixti was expelled for brutality, and Zach Mizzi also sent off for a normal foul. Sirens had to continue for the remainder of the encounter with a player less, suffering two more goals till the end, for a larger disparity in the final score.

It was a far cry from Sirens' elimination of Valletta in the K.O., on a 13-5 score. This time Sirens were a subdued outfit, with the Citizens in control, although the score remained a tight one till the final quarter, when Valletta eased away from their adversaries, and the late skirmish leaving a sour taste for those present.

Sirens had Luke Caruana starting a two game suspension, from his red card, in their defeat by Neptunes, in the K.O., just days before. They also had matteo Muscat icstead of Joe Cremona, as teh second goalie, and he had to take part in the last stages of the match, after Grixti's ejection. Valletta had Andrew Zarb Cousin back in the side.

A single goal was registered in the opening session, as Michael Rizzo put the Citizens ahead. David Cutajar put Sirens on level terms in the next period, but Valletta then took a double advantage, with James Spiteri Staines and Ryan Mock strikes, for a 3-1 lead at the interval.

After the break Dmitri Kholod extended the Citizens' lead. Sergi Mora pulled a goal back for Sirens, but Andrei Agius had Valletta again on a three goal advantage. A sirens spurt, late in the session had them just a goal behind, after Gabriel Pace and Jacob Sciberras goals, with the teams going into the last session, on a 5-4 score to Valletta. There was no real Sirens threat, as Valletta drew away convincingly. A Kholod penalty started off a debacle, as the Spiteri Staines brothers added on three more goals, two by James and another from Michael.. Then at 9-4 came the mini fracas, and with a man less for the remaining time, it was Rizzo getting his second strike for the Citizens, and right at the end Mock's shot from mid pitch also found the back of the Sirens' net. The gap between the two sides, in the standings, has now been reduced to two points.

Sirens: N. Grixti , Z. Mizzi , S. Mora 1, G. Pace 1, M. Grech , I. Riolo ,   M. Balucci , D. Cutajar 1, J. Napier ,  J. Sciberras 1, M. Piccinino ,  N. Farrugia , M. Muscat

Valletta: R. Sciortino , J. Spiteri Staines 3, A. Agius 1, M. Rizzo 2, A. Mifsud ,   R. Mock 2,  D. Paolella , N. Bonello Ghio , M. Cordina , C. Zammit ,  D. Kholod 2, A. Zarb Cousin , M. Spiteri Staines 1 

Referees: R. Spiteri, L. Bianco

 

BOV Premier League Standings

Relegation Pool

                    Sirens Ritter Sport            12     4     2     6    104   109   14

                    Valletta McDonalds         12      4     0     8   118   138    12                                                                                                                                                                                   

                    Exiles Jetfreight               12      1     0   11   104   168      3