Sliema Frank Salt continued to build on their previous win against Exiles as they claimed a deserved win over Neptunes Leo Vegas 8-6. Sliema were slight better on the day as Neptunes didn't have their best game.

Liam Galea put Sliema in front but Neptunes turned the game to their advantage with goals from youngsters Jake Muscat and Ken Erdogan, until Galea scored again for his team. Sliema took control of the game with a positive second session and scored three consecutive goals that gave them a cushion for the remainder of the game.

Neptunes had to be more aggressive in order to save the game. Matthias Azzopardi reduced the margin but Zach Mizzi restored their three-goal advantage. Jovan Popovic's side entered back in the game with two goals from Azzopardi and Erdogan.

That was until Michael Spiteri Staines scored from a penalty after an infringement deemed illegal by Ken Erdogan who was also sent-off after an altercation with Zach Mizzi. The latter closed the game with a splendid backhand, as Gabriel Pace's goal late in the game didn't make a difference.

The last match of the day ended in a 5-5 draw between Exiles Elia Caterers and Sirens Greentube. This result meant that Sliema Frank Salt ended in fourth place and subsequently qualified to the play-offs. Sirens failed to control the game and paid the price in the last session where they even risked of losing the game.

Michele Stellini put Exiles in front but Sirens reacted and scored twice from Isaiah Riolo and Matthew Sciberras. Cousin equalised in the beginning of the second session but a brace by veteran Paul Privitera put Sasko Popovski's team 4-2 ahead.

Sirens deserved their lead and kept controlling the game. They held their double advantage in the third session but lost it in the last session after two goals by Nicky Paris. Edward Aquilina even missed a penalty and Exiles could have snatched it in their last action but Cousin failed to score from close range.

 

NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS....... 6

SLIEMA FRANK SALT.......... 8

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

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan (2), G. Pace (1), S. Gialanze, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat (1), S. Busuttil, J. Abela, N. Zammit, S. Stellini, M. Azzopardi (2), B. Busuttil, M. Castillo, A. Fenech

Sliema: M. Vassallo, E. Schembri, L. Galea (2), J. Pace Mizzi, M. Meli, B. Cachia, M. Spiteri Staines (2), C. Cutajar, M. Cordina (2), D. Rizzo, Z. Mizzi (2), N. Bugelli, M. Farrugia, M. Muscat, J. Cutajar

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefan Licari

 

EXILES ELIA CATERERS..... 5

SIRENS GREENTUBE......... 5

(1-2), (1-2), (1-1), (2-0)

 

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. Von Brockdorf, A. Magri, M. Stellini (1), S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, N. Paris (2), A. Cousin (2), B. Lanzon, P. Paris, S. Apap, M. Martin

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina, P. Privitera (2), M. Grech, G. Farrugia, G. Mellilo, I. Riolo (1), J. Napier, Z. Bartolo, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras (2), O. Gauci, M. Bonnici, L. Galea

Referees: Alex De Raffaele, Peter Balzan

 

FIRST DIVISION

Marsaxlokk v Birżebbuġa              9-7