SAN ĠILJAN TUM INVEST...... 12

EXILES ELIA CATERERS........... 12

(4-2), (1-3), (4-2), (3-5)

Exiles showed their never give up attitude that characterised their performances last season as they held title contenders San Ġiljan TUM Invest in a draw after a great comeback in the last session. In their previous two games against Sliema and Marsaskala, Exiles weren't at their best and suffered a similar comeback against Sliema.

Exiles made a comeback in the first part of the game but were brave enough to keep believing despite their odds were stacked against them. Milos Vukicevic was at his best as Exiles used his power to create danger in San Ġiljan's defence.

San Ġiljan were already 4-0 ahead with less than three minutes till the end of the session. Exiles started their comeback with two goals from their centre Milos Vukicevic and in the second session they controlled their opponents and Milos Vukicevic, Marko Jelaca and Nicky Paris put Exiles in front for the first time. That was until Guillermo Molina equalised 15 seconds before the end of the second session.

Timmy Sullivan put Exiles again in front but San Ġiljan scored twice from Ben Plumpton until Vukicevic equalised. San Ġiljan built a double advantage with goals from Dino Zammit and Niksa Dobud.

Exiles started the last session still with a chance but two goals behind against a better side than them. Vukicevic reduced the margin in the early seconds of the session but Marko Orlovic's team scored three consecutive goals with a quick brace by Matthew Zammit and Niksa Dobud.

Many thought that the game is over but the rapid reaction by Nicky Paris kept his team hoping. San Ġiljan failed to close the game and in the second part of the session, Timmy Sullivan equalised with two goals in less than a minute. The game was now wide open and the power house Vukicevic showed his strength by powering past Jake Tanti with a splendid goal. Vukanovic's team defended bravely the last minute and a half to earn a precious point.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea (1), N. Dobud (4), G. Molina (1), M. Zammit (3), B. Plumpton (2), K. Dowling, T. Said, Da. Zammit, P. Fava, Di. Zammit (1), T. Micallef, J. Bonavia, A. Saliba

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca (1) , T. Sullivan (3), S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic (6), A. Cousin, N. Paris (2), P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap

Referees: Stefan Licari, Mirko Schiavo

 

OTTERS NIVEA....................... 16

MARSAXLOKK BROWN'S....... 18

(3-4), (4-3), (2-8), (7-3)

Otters Nivea proved to be relentless at times but it wasn't enough for them to keep Marsaxlokk Brown's Pharmacy from winning the three points. The third session proved to be decisive after they finished the second session 7-7.

Russian Ivan Nagaev was again lethal scoring no less than ten goals and carried his team to an important win that edged them closer to play in Premier Division. Still Marsaxlokk weren't at their best, credit also goes to Otters who fought valiantly despite having their two foreigners on two fouls from the second session.

Marsaxlokk won the first session 4-3 despite Otters scoring in three occasions after their opponents scored. Nagaev not only scored twice in the first session but doubled the advantage in the beginning of the second session.

Otters commenced their comeback and turned the tables from 3-5 to 7-5 after goals by Aleandro Mifsud, Ferenc Salamon (penalty), Milos Filipovic and Edward Meli. All their effort was blown away by one man. Ivan Nagaev scored twice before the break to equalise.

Marsaxlokk upped their game in the third session and held twice a two-goal advantage. But the goal from the left side by Timmy Agius was the beginning of the end for Otters as a brace by Nagaev and another goal by Vlahovic ended the session for Marsaxlokk with a commanding six-goal advantage.

Otters tried to stay in the game and halved their disadvantage with two goals from Edward Meli and another one by Milos Filipovic. That was still a long way to go as Joe Cremona's team widened the gap to five goals. Otters scored from Filipovic, Meli and Salamon to finish the game two goals adrift.

Otters: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri Debarro (1), F. Salamon (3), L. Hyzler, E. Meli (4), M. Lanzon, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, A. Mifsud (4), D. Zahra, B. Lanzon, M. Filipovic (4), M. Xerri, D. Dimech, C. Teuma

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Rizzo, T. Agius (1), J. Galea, A. Vlahovic (3), I. Nagaev (10), S. Micallef (1), R. Scerri (1), M. Martellacci, O. Zammit, L. Saliba, M. Pace (1), K. Galea (1)

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Marko Schiavo