SIRENS GREENTUBE                 5
SAN ĠILJAN TUM INVEST        8
(1-1), (2-2), (1-2), (1-3)

San Ġiljan had to struggle for more than three sessions before they secured their victory against a disciplined Sirens to clinch victory on the final of the Enemed Cup.

Sirens goalkeeper Nicky Grixti had a splendid game and his efforts kept his team longer in the game until San Giljan pulled away in the final quarter. In the third session, Grixti saved a one-on-one on Ben Plumpton and blocked a penalty from Dino Zammit, and was by far the best player in the pitch.

This win set the bar for the remainder of the year as despite the improvements made by Neptunes, Sliema and Sirens, San Ġiljan showed why they won several honours in recent years. Sirens will also be a hard nut to crack, as they showed in the semi-final when they unexpectedly beat Neptunes.

Ben Plumpton put San Ġiljan in the lead but Sirens responded with a great finish by Matthew Sciberras. Edward Aquilina and Isaiah Riolo put Sirens 3-1 in front in the second session but San Ġiljan were concentrated enough not to let Sirens run away and equalised before the change of ends with quick goals from Dino Zammit and Matthew Zammit.

Aquilina put Sirens ahead again with a penalty, but in the middle of the session he was sent off after what seemed to be a consequence of remarks he passed. Dino Zammit missed a penalty but veterans Matthew Zammit, also from a five-metre throw, and Paul Fava gave San Ġiljan the edge before the last session started.

Another goal by their captain in the beginning of the last session restored San Ġiljan's confidence to claim yet another trophy. Sirens tried to stay in the game and clawed one back from Luke Caruana but the pressing by San Ġiljan didn't allow them to be dangerous enough towards the post defended by Jake Tanti.

Ben Plumpton opened up a two-goal lead for San Giljan with about two minutes left and Matthew Zammit sealed the win with a goal from close range in the dying seconds, a three-goal advantage that probably doesn't give a clear picture of how the game evolved.

After the match, ASA President Joe Caruana Curran presented the trophy to the captain of San Ġiljan Matthew Zammit.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina (2), P. Privitera, M. Grech, G. Farrugia, J. Zerafa Gregory, I. Riolo (1), J. Napier, L. Falzon, L. Caruana (1), M. Sciberras (1), G. Galea Curmi

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea, B. Grech, K. Dowling, M. Zammit (4), B. Plumpton (2), C. Farrugia, T. Said, Da. Zammit, P. Fava (1), Di. Zammit (1), T. Micallef, A. Saliba

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Ronnie Spiteri

 

NEPPTUNES LEO VEGAS        14
SLIEMA FRANK SALT               8
(2-3), (6-3), (4-1), (2-1)

After Saturday's defeat, both teams looked at this game as an opportunity to finish the competition on a good note. In the end, Neptunes deserved the win due to their cynical approach in finding their spaces and shooting in front of goal. Centre Jeremy Abela, left-hander Nikolai Zammit and their main scorer of the tournament Jake Muscat had a splendid game scoring almost all the goals between them.

Sliema had a bright start after a positive first session. But they didn't have a response to Neptunes' reaction in the second session. Youngsters Jeremy Abela, Jake Muscat and Nikolai Zammit scored a brace each as Neptunes not only turned the tables but built what seemed to be a comfortable lead.

Sergio Afric's team scored twice in the last moments of the second session, goals that they thought would start a comeback. But Neptunes were concentrated enough to not let their advantage slip away as it was again their youngsters Nikolai Zammit and Jeremy Abela who scored in the first part of the third session to practically seal the win for their team.

For the last session and a half, the game had a different meaning. Sliema tried to stay in the game but they couldn't string consecutive goals to enter back in the game as Neptunes controlled the remainder of the encounter.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan (1), G. Pace, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J, Muscat (3), S. Busuttil, J. Abela (6), N. Zammit (4), A. Fenech, V. Ragone, B. Busuttil

Sliema: J. Sammut, K. Tanti, N. Saliba (1), J. Sciberras, M. Meli (4), B. Cachia (2), M. Spiteri Staines, G. Blundell, M. Cordina, D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli (1), Z. Sciberras

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefan Licari