In the opening match of the 2009 Winter League, eternal rivals Sliema Burger King and Neptunes Vodafone clashed to gain some important points and to gauge their levels of fitness for the test ahead.
The first session ended with both sides scoring twice although Sliema appeared to be marginally more on the ball when compared to their rivals.
Neptunes regained the lead in the second session with a fine angled shot by M. Stellini from an angled position after the Blues had a man up situation. Valletta equalized for Sliema just seconds later whilst Galea again put Neptunes in front from a counter.
Sliema equalized at the start of the third session with a central conclusion by Lubrano and took the lead through Soler. Neptunes equalised with a minute remaining on the session clock converting a man up situation for the first time through Pisani whilst Lanzon regained them the advantage just before the end of the session.
The final session began with Neptunes establishing a two goal lead with Stellini in a superb solo run and his hattrick. Pisani made it 8-5 in a classic counter. Valletta reduced the deficit for Sliema with a strong shot but Pisani re-established the three goal cushion with a close shot after an error by Cachia. Neptunes made sure of the result with Galea although Lubrano again reduced the deficit for Sliema. Paolella made the score more respectable at the end of a rather animated final session.
Sliema ASC: Cachia, Spiteri Staines, Rizzo, Spiteri Staines, Abela, Soler, Paolella, Manara, Debono, Valletta, Lubrano
Neptunes Vodafone: Gouder, Lanzon, Agius, Galea, Chachia, Caruana, Camilleri, Mizi, Attard, Gravina, Sciortino, Stellini, Pisani
Scorers: Sliema: Rizzo, Valletta (3), Lubrano (2), Soler, Paolella
Neptunes: Lanzon, Stellini (3), Galea, Pisani (3), Lanzon
Referees: M Ancilleri, I. Sciriha
In the second match Sirens and Marsascala aspired to make a flying start to their adventure in the 2009 season. Marsacala took the lead with Cutajar in the first minute of the session with Sirens then scoring three goals in succession through Cutajar, Zammit and Scerri.
The second session began with Marsascala converting a penalty by Peter Borg with Licari equalizing a few seconds later. Zammit restored Sirens’ lead and expanded it as he notched up his personal hattrick.
The third session saw quite a long period of inaction with Mercieca and Cutajar scoring one apiece for each team. The fourth session began with Galea increasing Sirens’ advantage to a comfortable three goal cushion. Jean Claude Cutajar scored for Marsaskala to reduce the deficit in mid session but Zammit re-established Sirens’ lead with his fourth of the match. Ghirxi again reduced the deficit for Marsaskala but Sirens easily administered their advantage although Borg scored again in the dying seconds to set up a tense finale.
In the last match of the afternoon, San Giljan and Exiles were looking to acquire some points to start off the season on a good note.
The first two sessions saw San Giljan build up a 3-1 lead with goals from Fava and Borg Spiteri (2) with a reply by Rizzo Naudi for Exiles. The third session saw Exiles pull back with another goal by Rizzo Naudi before Lanzon reestablished San Giljan’s advantage with a penalty. Bianchi made it 5-2 just before the session’s end with Pace Lupi again pulling back a goal for Exiles in the dying seconds.
The fourth session began with a great shot by Fava making it 6-3 for San Giljan with Rizzo Naudi pulling one back and notching up his personal hat trick. Exiles came back strongly with Pace Lupi bringing it to 6-5 but after wasting two good chances they were punished by Borg Spiteri who made it 7-5 for San Giljan with Lanzon putting the cherry on the cake in the final seconds.