Neptunes Grimaldi 10
San Giljan Salini Resort 6
(3-0, 4-4, 1-1, 2-1)
Played in front of a large crowd. this top of the table clash went decisively Neptunes' way, thanks to a three goal start. The Saints did get back on level terms, but they were jolted back to reality, when Neptunes obtained another three goal advantage. San Giljan couldn't get back one more time, with Neptunes closing down the way to their goal. When the Saints did they found a reliable Alan Borg Cole to thwart them, between the Neptunes' posts.
This was an important step for Neptunes to claim back the league title they had lost last season, after a five year dominance. Also important is the fact that these two teams will meet again next Saturday, in the BOV K.O. final. Man up wise there was not much to choose from, with neptunes converting four from nine, with the champions scoring one less from the same number of expulsions.
Neptunes began the match in a workmanlike manner, putting in three goals in succession, from skipper, Niki Lanzon, and a brace by Steve Camilleri. Till the end of the session the Saints were three times a man up, but failed to score in all three. In teh next period the champions managed to do what they failed to do before, with a three goal blitz, from Peter Borg, Aurelien Cousin and a Boris Vapenski penalty. They were level, but not for long, as Neptunes strode forward once again, netting four times to their opponents' one, to claim another three-goal advantage by the interval, at 7-4. It was Steve Camilleri, Marc Lanzon, Jordan Camilleri and Cosmin Radu to push Neptunes further ahead, with Peter Borg replying with his sole strike, for San Giljan.
After the break Neptunes kept a tight control of the match, never allowing their adversaries any space, with the result that only two goals were registered, form the Saints' Dino Zammit, and a reaction from neptunes' Steve Camilleri, with his penalty. Thus Neptunes were still enjoying a three goal cushion, going into the last quarter, on an 8-5 score. San Gikjanjust couldb't make it back, finding obstacles time and time again. Jordan camilleri virtually assured Neptunes of their victory, with his second strike. Andreas Galea pulled a goal back for the Saints, with radu restoring his side's previous advantage, denying the champions of a late rally.
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole , N. Lanzon 1, C. Radu 2, M. Cutajar , T. Agius , M. Lanzon1 , S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela , M. Zammit , B. Lanzon , M. Azzopardi , M. Castillo
S. Giljan: J. Sammut , P. Borg 2, A. Galea 1, B. Vapenski 1, Da. Zammit , M. Zammit , K. Galea , C. Mercieca , B. Plumpton , A. Cousin 1, P. Fava , D. Zammit 1, D. Camilleri
Referees: M.Dalli, D. Rotondano
BOV Premier League Standings - Championship Pool
Neptunes Grimaldi 12 9 3 0 127 79 30
San Giljan Salini Resort 12 7 2 2 135 97 26
Sliema Betsson 12 5 3 4 103 104 18
Photos Domenic Aquilina
BOV Premier - Relegation Pool
Sweet revenge for Valletta
Exiles Jetfreight 10
Valletta McDonalds 14
(1-3, 3-0, 3-5, 3-6)
The last time these two sides met, Exiles managed to obtain theri first points of the season. There was no repeat performance, but actually the opposite, with the Citizens overturning the victory in their favour, and with the same score they had lost against Exiles. An exiles reaction, in teh second session, had Valletta wondering if they were going to be beaten once more, but after the interval the Citizens grew in stature, despite losing two key players on red cards. There was still a spate of goals, but Valletta scored more than their opponents, to manage a clear cut win, even with exiles' two late strikes. Exiles scored in half of their six man ups. Valletta were not so proficient, only managing to net their last one , also in six attempts. . Valletta had Daniel Spiteri, as the second custodian, vice, Nicky Bonello Ghio, and he played in the last stages of the encounter. Valletta's win takes them two points short of Sirens, with another chance to topple their opponets from teh top position.
The Citizens went into a double advantage, with Daniel Paolella and Dmitri Kholod goals. Kurt Grixti halved the deficit, but Michael Cordina gave Valletta a 3-1 lead. In the second period the tables were turned, as Exiles powered forward, with three nettings, and no reply from the Citizens. Grixti, again, Simon Vassallo and Nicky Paris had Exiles on a 4-3 advantage till the interval.
After the break Kholod and Michael Rizzo twice tied the score for Valletta, with Milos Vukicevic and Sean Gravina restoring Exiles' single gaol advantage. Valletta kept probing, and Kholod once more and Ryan Mock put them in front. Here the Citizens had michael Spiteri Staines red carded. Vukicevic tied the score for exiles, less tan a second from the third session buzzer, but straight from the restart Michael Cordina surprised the Exiles' defence, to give Valletta another lead, at 8-7. Exiles were arttled, and it showed in the last session, as teh Citizens poured in three more goals, by Rizzo, Cordian and Mock. Vassallo managed another goal for Exiles, with Valletta losing another player on a red card, Michael Rizzo. Undaunted, they netetd three more strikes, as Spiteri went into their goal, in lieu of Ryan Sciortino. Paolella, captain, Charles Zammit, and James spiteri staines assured their side of victory, with exiles managing to come up with a more respectable result, with two late goals, from Vukicevic and skipper, Kayne Lanzon.
Exiles: I. Bugeja , J. Rizzo Naudi , S. Vassallo 2, D. Pace Lupi , D. Borg Millo , E. Gravina , S. Gravina 1, K. Grixti 2, N. Paris 1, A. Bianchi , G. Ciappara , M. Vukicevic 3, K. Lanzon 1
Valletta: R. Sciortino , J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius , M. Rizzo 2, A. Mifsud , R. Mock 2, D. Paolella 2, D. Spiteri , M. Cordina 3, C. Zammit 1,D. Kholod 3, A. Zarb Cousin , M. Spiteri Staines
Referees: P. Balzan, L. Iacovelli
BOV Premier League Standings: Relegation Pool
Sirens Ritter Sport 13 5 2 6 117 117 17
Valletta McDonalds 13 5 0 8 132 148 15
Exiles Jetfreight 14 1 0 13 122 195 3
Photos Domenic Aquilina