Sliema: J. Cachia, D. Paolella, E. Aquilina, M. Galea Pace, M. Meli 1, J. Soler, J. Paris 1, K. Engerer, C. Debono 2, R. Scerri, R. Coleiro, N. Falzon, A. Bianchi 1.

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

Refs: A. Severo, I. Sciriha

Marsascala confirmed their consistency and superb progress under coach Pierre Borg when once again they beat Sliema to claim a total of five points over the reigning champions after an initial 6-6 draw and a 4-2 win in the last round.

Once again the Blues, who have failed to win in their last four appearances, were a shadow of their championship winning form when faced with M'Scala's tight zone and Francesco Cutajar's absence at the back was a further handicap. Mekcic's lads looked too nervous at the end and spoiled all their chances.

With this merited win, M'Scala joined Sliema and Sirens (a game less) at the top of the table and with two matches to go for them, the title race is now a close reality.

The first session, ending 3-1 for the southerners, had a quiet start with both sides adopting a zone cover.

The first goal arrived late in the third minute through a low John Licari shot.

M'Scala made it 2-0 when Chris Gialanze won a centre tussle with Paris and found the Sliema net.

The champions finally managed to open their goal tally through Andrea Bianchi.

However M'Scala's reply came just 17 seconds later through Licari from a penalty.

Sliema managed to neutralise the disadvantage by themselves winning the second session 3-1 for a 4-4 score at the change of ends.

Sliema's hero was Clint Debono who managed to notch his first two goals of the season after returning from a serious injury.

Darren Ciappara had made the score 4-2 while Edward Aquilina soon replied for Sliema. Then Debono scored the equaliser at 4-4.

In the third session, Sliema took the lead after John Paris flicked the ball into the net after a crisp Aquilina assist. Paul Privitera made the score 5-5.

The last session was crucial and only one goal was scored. It proved to be the winner. When Galea Pace was sent off the ever improving ex-Paul Fava put the greens back ahead in the fifth minute.

Before the end, the Blues won a Privitera exclusion ten seconds from the end but Bianchi shot hurriedly in Bugeja's arms to the delight of the M'Scala fans who meritedly celebrated this success.

Division II

Ta’ Xbiex MP 5

Marsaxlokk Freeport 5

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

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard, A. Fero, K. Sciortino 1, C. D'Ugo, N. Giordano, D. Dowling 1, J. Dimech, D. Schembri, P. Paolella, S. Balzan 3, C. Sciortino, P. Dimech.

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia 1, R. Calleja, A. Farrugia, N. Kerr 1, C. Bugeja 1, C. Jones, S. Cutajar, K. Incorvaja, M. Fava, D. Cassar 2, M. Cutajar, G. Zammit.

Refs: A. Deraffaele, M. Caruana

Today’s programme

Tal-Qroqq: Division II 5pm Exiles RMF-Otters; 6pm Valletta Fortina Rest.-San Giljan Foster Clark; First Division 7pm Neptunes Vodafone- 2X Sirens.