Sliema McDonalds 9
Neptunes Emirates 18
(1-4)(3-8)(1-3)(4-3)
It’s been quite a while since such an adverse score appeared between these two great rivals. This was Neptunes’ fourth victory on the trot over Sliema and their most handsome one yet.
The champions were in control straight from the start and the Sliema defenders were never at ease throughout the whole encounter. There was always the aroma of a goal every time that Neptunes had the ball whilst Sliema had difficulty in piercing a compact Neptunes defence.
The champions had already built up a three goal advantage by the opening session and although Sliema made a reaction early on in the second period to creep to two goals behind they were overwhelmed till the interval with neptunes scoring at will.
At the halfway stage the game was deemed to be over with a heavy 4-12 score against Sliema. There was no comeback from the losers after the break and the champions continued to extend their advantage into double figures by the start of the final session at 15-5.
Here Sliema managed to halt Neptunes’ advance when they shared six goals with their rivals which made no notable difference. Towards the end of the match Sliema were awarded two penalties with the first one neutralized by Ian Sammut in the Neptunes’ goal.
The second one right at the final buzzer had Sliema finally scoring from a man up as they had previously failed the other four that they had. Rajmund Fodor was Sliema’s best score with a hat trick.
Neptunes’ confident play had Vladimir Gojkovic spraying passes all around besides netting a nap hand of goals. There were four other players all with a trio of goals Michele Stellini Nicky Lanzon Steve Camilleri and Tamas Molnar. From a total of six man ups neptunes converted half of them.
The two sides will play their last match next Tuesday before being involved in the semi final play offs.
Sliema: R. Coleiro, N. Bonello Ghio, N. Lubrano, R. Fodor 3, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 2, D. Paolella 1, M. Spiteri Staines, C. Debono, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 1, J. Spiteri Staines, D. Abela
Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 3, B. Lanzon, M. Stellini 3, J. Camilleri, Z. Mizzi, Camilleri 3, V. Gojkovic 5, K. Debattista, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 3, M. Pisani 1
Referees: M. Dalli, D. di Martire
This was the last match of the second round where everything had already been decided. Valletta had to come back from a three goal deficit in the opening period.
They went further behind before starting their revival which had then just a goal behind at the interval at 6-7.
The Citizens then showed their superiority as they forged in front and enjoyed an 11-8 advantge at the start of the last session. There was still no reply from Ta’ Xbiex as the Citizens extended their lead with Ta’ Xbiex missing a late penalty.
This was Valletta’s third victory over Ta’ Xbiex. They had Alessandro di Somma with a poker of goals.
From a total of 10 man ups, Valletta managed to score in six of them. Ta’ Xbiex had an extra player on eight occasions and converted three of them. Yuri Szeles was their best scorer with four goals but missed the late penalty.
Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, M. Paris, S. Vassallo,C. Cluett 1, JC Decelis, B. Muscat, T. Gyrovath 1, E. Bonello 1, M. Cordina 1, C. Saliba 1, M. Spiteri, Y. Szeles 4
Valletta: A. Sammut, M. Axiaq, A. di Somma 4, M. Camilleri 1, R. Munkascy 3, S. Cachia, A. Galea 2, K. Hyzler, T. Agius 3, JK Farrugia, A. Arrigo, G. Ghirxi 1,
Referees: A. de Raffaele, S. Licari.