VALLETTA UNITED............14

MARSAXLOKK FISCHER.....8

(5-1), (2-2), (4-1), (3-4)

The difference in quality between both teams was predicted to be too much, and this game proved that expectation as Valletta United defeated First Division Champions Marsaxlokk Fischer 14-8 in the first out of a possible three relegation decider. The game had no story as Valletta controlled the game while their opponents had their say in sporadic moments. Marsaxlokk had Claudio Spiteri Debarro and Mateo Cacici alongside long absentee Karl Galea missing.

Marsaxlokk hit the target first from Rainier Scerri, but Valletta reacted with two goals by their left-hander Boris Vapenski as three other goals gave Valletta a comfortable 5-1 lead. Marsaxlokk started again the session better than their opponents and reduced the gap by half with a penalty by Zeljko Kovacic and Luke Gialanze. But Valletta restored their four-goal lead from Ryan Mock and a perfect shot from distance by Michael Cordina.

Goals by Boris Vapenski and James Spiteri Staines assure Valletta the win as Andrea Agius and Keith Galea continued to enlarge the gap. Marsaxlokk scored their only goal late in the session as Brian Buhagiar took advantage from a blunder by Valletta and caught Sciortino out of his place, scoring from almost post to post.

With the result decided, the play was more open in the last session as Marsaxlokk tried to make the score respectable while Valletta wanted to confirm their superiority. But Marsaxlokk managed to win the last session to make the score more respectable.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines (2), A. Agius (1), M. Rizzo (1), M. Fenech, R. Mock (1), D. Paolella, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina (2), B. Vapenski (6), K. Galea (1), D. Fenech, A. Mifsud

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, L. Calleja, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, S. Meli, Z. Kovacic (2), B. Buhagiar (1), R. Scerri (2), K. Lanzon (1), L. Gialanze (2), R. Bonnici

Referees: Mario Dalli, Riccardo D’Antoni