... now have to meet San Giljan in play-off for place in final against Neptunes
WILLIAM VASSALLO
BOV Premier League
Sliema faltered at the last hurdle for a direct passage to the final as they came a cropper against a determined Sirens outfit who were winning their second game in four matches against Sliema.
Sliema started well enough with a three goal opening but when Sirens operated their press, as usual Sliema found difficulty in prising open their opponents’ defence.
This coupled with Sliema’s woeful man up tally. A mere two goals from ten expulsions helped Sirens’ cause no end with Sliema failing miserably in the last part of the match.
Sirens are to be commended for their honest approach to the game and they fully exploited Sliema’s hesitation in front of goal. After Sliema’s opening salvo, Sirens had drawn back to a single goal deficit after the first period and then overturned the score till the interval as they led 7-5.
Sliema were more cautious after the break and eked out a double score to put both sides on even terms at 7-7 when the last session began.
Sliema were also in front but Sirens quickly equalised. Then after two more Sliema misses with a player more in the water, Sirens struck the mortal blows to Sliema’s aspirations as they forged in front and then tore through the depleted Sliema defence twice more to deal the killer shots.
Arpad Babay found the back of the Sliema net five times with Dino Zammit claiming a hat trick. Ferenc Salamon also netted three goals for Sliema who now meet San Giljan next Wednesday in a best-of three tussle to see who will advance to the final against Neptunes.
Sliema: I. Gergely, J. Gabarretta 2, N. Lubrano, P. Privitera 1, M. Meli, J. Soler 2, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, F. Salamon 3, C. Cluett, Spiteri Staines, R. Coleiro
Sirens: A. Grech, A. Attard, A. Sammut, P. Micallef , A. Babay 5, C. Kiss 1, J.Borg, D. Cutajar 2, L. Caruana, C. Zammit, M. Grech, D. Zammit 3, M. Grech
Referees: I. Sciriha, D De Meo
BOV 1 Div. League
With nothing at stake in this match, it was quite a lively encounter which had the Citizens in a late surge to take the spoils.
Ta’ Xbiex opened up a good lead in the first session and although Valletta drew level at the halfway mark, Ta’ Xbiex were 8-5 in front.
Valletta overturned the score after the break but when the last period started, it was all square at 10-10.
Ta’ Xbiex opened up a double advantage once more but in the last two minutes the Citizens were all over their opponents to net four times in succession and take the victory.
Robert Kovacs scored seven goals for the victors with Timmy Agius netting five more.
Ta’ Xbiex who were playing their last game of the season had Yuri Szeles with a nap hand and Laszlo Suranyi with a poker of goals.
Valletta will be meeting Otters in a best-of-three encounter starting this week for a place in the final against M’scala.
Ta’ Xbiex: J. Cremona, L. Borg, A. Galea 1, M. Asciak, L. Suranyi 4, C. Bugeja , K. Galea 2, S. Cini, L. Pace, C. Saliba , R. Attard 1, Y. Szeles 5
Valletta: E. Arrigo, R. Calleja 1, An. Galea, T. Agius 5, S. Cachia 1, Al. Galea, M. Cordina 1, R. Kovacs 7, A. Sammut, K. Hyzler
Referees: M. Angileri, P. Giordano