Marsascala Breakers 6

Sliema Burger King 6

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

M’Scala: I. Bugeja, C. Spiteri de Barro 2, A. Galea 2, P. Privitera 1, C. Gialanze, J. Xerri de Caro 1, J. Licari, L. Grixti, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, P. Fava, D. Ciappara, S. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Cachia, D. Paolella, E. Aquilian 1, M. Galea Pace 2, M. Meli 1, J. soler 1, J. Paris, K. Engerer, R. Scerri, F. Cutajar, R. Coleiro, G. Lubrano, A. Bianchi 1.

Refs: Mario Dalli, Miro Caruana.

Sliema paid for their complacency, losing a point, although they still top the standings alone.

They must bemoan the fact that they only managed to score a single goal out of eight man-ups in their favour, although they literally peppered the Marsascala goalposts.

On their part, Marsascala gained a precious point after their lifeless display against Sirens the week before.

Spiteri De Barro, from a man-up, put Marsascala ahead in the first session. Sliema rallied in the second quarter taking a 3-2 lead after goals by Mark Galea Pace, who scored twice, and Edward Aquilina. In between, John Xerri De Caro, from another man-up, had momentarily tied up the game at 2-2.

In the third session, Spiteri De Barro once again put the teams on level terms. Mark Meli’s goal for Sliema was not enough as Paul Privitera, celebrating his child’s birth, made it 4-4 from a penalty.

The last session seemed to be going in the champions’ favour as they established a two-goal lead through John Soler and Andrew Bianchi, but M’Scala were still not out and on two successive man-ups, it was veteran Tony Galea who saved the day for the team.

Sliema had little time to recover and had to concede the first league point of the season.