Neptunes Emirates 15
Sliema Frank Salt 5
(3-1, 5-1, 3-3, 4-0)
This clash is one of the main highlights of the season, but this particular match was a nightmare for Sliema. The champions were streets ahead, with the Blues chasing shadows, and the game was effectively over by the interval. The strange part was, that when Neptunes had an extra player for four full minutes, after Edward Aquilina’s ejection without substitution, they failed to score, whereas Sliema, who had difficulties throughout the match, managed to score twice.
It was another arid day as regards man ups for Sliema, with the champions also wasteful. For the record Sean Gravina was also sent off for Neptunes, but with substitution. Sliema began with an early Gergely Kiss penalty conversion, but Neptunes established a double advantage till the end of the session, with goals from Steve Camilleri, twice, and an Alex Ciric goal in between. The second period went even better for the champions, as they rattled in five more strikes. Ciric scored another, with gergely replying for the Blues. Then came more Neptunes’ goals, through Camilleri, two from Tamas Molnar and another from Niki Lanzon.
By the interval the champions were fully 8-2 in front. Jerome Gabarretta scored for Sliema after the break, but Neptunes had Michele Stellini and lanzon with more goals. Then came Aquilina’s folly, with Camilleri scoring a penalty throw. Sliema recuperated, with a man less, and Kiss and a Samir barac penalty, brought the score to 11-5, before the start of the last session. Sliema held out till they were level on player numbers again, but the champions found their scoring touch once more, and till the end of the encounter they poured in four more goals, from Camilleri, Ciric, Molnar and with Camilleri obtaining his double hat trick. Neptunes are now level with San Giljan, on two wins each, and Sliema already have a mountain to climb, so early on in the season.
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, T. Agius, A. Ciric 3, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri, G. Pace, S. Gravina, B. Lanzon, T. Molnar 3, C. Mercieca Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler, G. Kiss 3, E. Aquilina, J. Brow rigg, S. Barac 1, M. Spiteri Staines, D. Paolella, C. Cluett Referees: M. Angileri, P. Bensaia
Valleta surprised by Masascala
Valletta United 8
Marsascala More 9
(2-4, 3-1, 1-2, 2-2)
High flying Valletta were brought down to earth with a bang, with Marsascala edging them out, for their first league win, after their debacle against Ta Xbiex. Valletta recovered twice from three and two goal deficits, but the Seasiders went back ahead, and held out till the end. Valletta were woeful in their man ups, converting just two from fifteen occasions, with Marsas- cala scoring two from four. Marsascala’s John Licari was injured in the second session, and took no further part in the game, and Valletta’s Clint Debono was sent off, with substitution, in the third quarter. The Citizens had Charles Zammit turning out for them for the first time. Marsascala had the better start, going in front, and establishing a 4-2 advantage in the opening period. Valletta overturned the score in the second session, with a three goal spurt, but by the interval Marsascala were on a tied score, at 5-5.
The Seasiders were again on a double advantage after the break, with the Citizens pulling a goal back till the end of the session. In the last period Valletta were level once more, but were then jolted back, as Marsascala again went two goals in front. Valletta went to within a goal be- hind, but Marsascala held out grimly, as Valletta continued to fail in their man up situations. Marsascala had Joseph kayes on a hat trick, and Matthew Pace with a brace of goals. Valletta’s Milos Korolija and Simon Cachia scored three goals each.
Valletta: R. Sciortino, S. Meli, R. Calleja, M. Korolija 3, M. Cordina, S. Cachia 3, R. Mock 1, C. Zammit, C. Debono, R. Scerri 1, N. Bonello Ghio, D. Filipov, Z. Sciberras Marsascala: K. Schembri, K. Rizzo Naudi, M. Pace 2, B. Muscat , J. Kayes 3, L. Grixti, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona 1, J. Ross 2, A. Sammut, D. Cassar, C. Mi- callef, L. Caruana Referees: R. Spiteri, P. Giordano