Neptunes Grimaldi 14 Valletta McDonalds 6
(1-1, 4-1, 4-3, 5-1)
The champions went alonbgside league leaders, San Giljan, but the latter have a game in hand, today, against Sliema. Neptunes' victory grew in stature after the interval, but before that the Citizens were giving a good account of themselves.
Somewhat of a turning point came about early on after the break, when Michael Rizzo had reduced the deficit for Valletta, to 3-5, but momants later he was ejected from the match on two yellow cards, after continued protests.
The Citizens were once again under the guidance of Anthony Farrugia, back from his venture in Azerbaijan, and for teh first time this season Valletta had Dean Camilleri between the posts, in lieu of Ryan Sciortino.
It was a tight match at first with the two sides sharing a couple of goals. Valletta tied the game again in the second period, but then Neptunes broke forward, to shoot in three goals in a row, and they were on a 5-2 advantage at the interval. Then, after Rizzo's dismissal, it was again the champions with a trio of goals, with Valletta making a reaction, with a brace of strikes. Ivan Krapic scored a rare goal for the champions, who went into the last quarter on a 9-5 lead. Valletta answered to Neptunes' first goal, but then succumbed, as the champions ended the match on a positive note, pouring in a four goal sequence, to end up with a high score in their favour.
Neptunes converted half of their man ups, five from ten, with the Citizens scoring twice from their five favourable expulsions. Steve Camilleri scored a poker of goals, with Niki Lanzon and Peter Biros on hat tricks, for the champions. Despite his expulsion, Rizzo was Valletta's best scorer, with two goals.
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, N. Farrugia , M. Stellini , T. Agius , I. Krapic 1, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 2, M. Castillo, P. Biros 3,B. Lanzon , S. Xerri de Caro , C. Mercieca 1
Valletta: D. Camilleri, O. Zammit, M. Rizzo 2, K. Galea , A. Agius, R. Mock , G. Kiss 1, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit 1, D. Paolella ,D. Filipovic 1, R. Sciortino
Referees: M. Dalli, A. Pascucci
BOV 1 Div. League
M'Scala inflict first defeat on Ta Xbiex
Ta Xbiex Amigos 12 M'Scala Nutrition Empire 13
(2-3, 4-5, 4-1, 2-4)
M'Scala handed the league leaders their first league defeat, to make amends for the heavy loss against the same Ta Xbiex, in the opening round. The advantage at the top of the standings has now been reduced to three points. It was close all the way with the lead never going above a couple of goals at either end, except in the closing stages of the match.
Ta Xbiex's opening two goals found an answer in M'Scala's three sdtrikes, in teh opening session. The two sides then shred nine goals in teh next period, after Matyas Pasztor saw his penalty throw, for M'Scala, saved by Jurgen Micallef, in the Ta Xbiex goal. . M'Scala eked out a better advantage till the interval, on an 8-6 score. It was Ta Xbiex with the better play after the break, and they managed to overturn the score, when they netted the last three goals of the session, for a close 10-9 advantage. Ta Xbiex were again in the lead for the last time, in the last session, but M'Scala managed to score three times in succession, for a winning advantage. Ta Xbiex reduced the arrears, but their last occasion in attack was taken care of by the M'Scala defence, who regained possession in the last seconds, to ensure their victory.
Both sides five times in their man ups, with eleven for Ta Xbiex and ten for M'Scala. Bela Torok and Jean Claude Cutajar both scored four times for M'Scala, Mark Kallay also scored a poker of goals for ta Xbiex, with Adam Maklari on a hat trick.
Ta Xbiex: J. Micallef, A. Maklari 3, A. Camenzuli , G. Attard 1, M. Kallay 4, E. Gravina , J. Galea , M. Mifsud , G. Debono 1, M. Zammit 1, A. Mifsud 1, L. Pace , K. Grima Scott 1
M'Scala: K. Schembri, JC Cutajar 4. M. Pace , C. Bonello 2, B. Torok4 , L. Grixti , K. Navarro , J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef , M. Pasztor 2, D. Cassar , C. Mifsud , B. Muscat
Referees: M. Angileri, M. Sponza