Neptunes Vodafone 6

Sliema McDonalds 14

(0-4, 2-3, 0-3, 4-4)

The first seasonal derby between arch rivals Sliema and Neptunes resulted in a resounding win for the blues after they humiliated Neptunes with a superior display.

However, having said this, and surely without lessening any of Sliema’s merit, this game was not of ultimate importance except to grab the first place in the table and surely avoid San Giljan (who are now placed third) in the play-offs and having to play the fourth placed team that will be decided next week from the winner in the Sirens-exiles clash.

The first session resulted in quite a surprise result as Sliema stormed to a 4-0 lead.

Neptunes won an early Debono man-up but Lanzon hit the cross-bar. John Soler immediately broke clear away and scored the game’s first when he finished face to face with opposing custodian Gouder.

In the next couple of minutes both goalkeepers made good saves with Gouder stopping fine efforts by Valletta and Debono.

However he could not deny Soler from netting his second with Stellini excluded.

Sliema increased their lead just 20 seconds later, despite Sergio Afric calling a time-out, as Neptunes made a turnover and ex-John Brownrigg netted into an empty net off a fine Meli assist on a 2v1 break.

The blues’ tally became four when, early in the 7th minute and with Pisani excluded, Valletta gave a perfect assist to Mark Meli who flicked home from close range.

After missing on a Brownrigg man-up, Neptunes finally managed to open their score after 11 minutes of play when Nicky Lanzon scored from close range.

Sliema replied a minute later when Valletta stole a ball off a Pisani pass and advanced on the right only to then give a perfect cross-pass to Soler who did not miss.

Clint Debono then made it a 6-1 game when he scored with a distance shot, although the latter then got himself excluded definitely in third session for protesting with the match officials.

Lanzon grabbed a personal brace when he netted a penalty with a shot to Cachia’s right.

With Neptunes missing another man-up, the second session ended with Soler scoring his fourth for a 7-2 score midway into the game.

Jonathan Valletta, who together with Edward Aquilina and Josie Cachia played an important part in this win, scored Sliema’s 8th goal on a Pisani exclusion and, almost two minutes later, Soler scored a penalty for a very comfortable 9-2 lead.

Neptunes failed on another two man-ups and Valletta scored his second after Cachia had made a fine save off Paris.

After 13 minutes of play without a goal, Neptunes managed to return to scoring ways and managed to share the session at 4-4. Karl Galea got his side’s third off a good E. Cachia assist.

There was no doubt where the win was going and both sides played at par in the final minutes.

Edward Aquilina scored a brace (the first on a 2v1 break when he exchanged the ball with Paolella and the second off a Cachia exclusion). Valletta scored his hat-trick and Soler made it a 6-goal personal tally for Sliema.

On the opposite end, Sean Gravina netted after Brownrigg’s third personal foul whilst Lanzon grabbed his poker with two goals (one on a Valletta man-up and the second through his second penalty goal on the day).

Neptunes: Nicky Gouder, Nicky Lanzon 4, Timothy Agius, Karl Galea 1, Edward Cachia, Kurt Micallef, Jordan Camilleri, Rambert Attard, David Camilleri, Sean Gravina 1, John Paris, Michele Stellini, Matthew Pisani, Ryan Sciortino, Adrian Cachia.

Sliema: Josie Cachia, Christian Gialanze, Edward Aquilina 2, Jerome Gabaretta, Mark Meli 1, John Soler 6, Daniel Paolella, John Brownrigg 1, Clint Debono 1, Jonathan Valletta 3, James Spiteri Staines, Nikolai Lubrano, Miguel Manara, Ryan Coleiro.

Refs: Mario Dalli, Massimo Ancilleri

San Giljan Zahra 10

Exiles P G 7

(2-2, 2-0, 4-3, 2-2)

San Giljan ascertained themselves fully of a play-off place when registering their second consecutive win, after last week’s success over Sirens, after beating, meritedly, Sliema-based neighbours Exiles.

San Giljan: Dean Camilleri, Claudio Spiteri de Barro 2, Kurt Grech, Matthew Zammit 4, Matthew Pace, Andrea Bianchi 1, Glen Ghirxi, Paul Fava 1, John Xerri de Caro 2, Kayne Lanzon.

Exiles: Alan Borg Cole, Simon Vassallo, Karl Rizzo Naudi 1, David Pace Lupi 1, Timmy Sullivan 2, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Michael Rizzo 3, Kurt Grixti, Mark Galea, Karl Enriquez, Seb Cini, Andrew Zarb Cousin, Martin Calleja, Rueben Bonnici, Gabriel Galea.

Refs: Peter Balzan, Ivan Sciriha