Marsaxlokk edge closer to Premier Division

SLIEMA FRANK SALT.......... 14

EXILES ELIA CATERERS........ 7

(2-3), (1-3), (6-0), (5-1)

Sliema Frank Salt took advantage from a blackout by Exiles Elia Caterers in the third session, to claim their second consecutive win. Exiles were sharper in the first part of the game and were cruising at that point.

Sergio Afric's team was brave enough to rise to the occasion and after they went ahead for the first time, they controlled the game and kept increasing their lead. Although this result might be satisfying for Sliema, they have to keep in mind that the performance of the last two sessions will not be enough against other teams.

Exiles won the first session 3-2 through goals from a beautiful backhand by Milos Vukicevic and a brace by Marko Jelaca while Nicholas Bugelli and Gavril Subotic scored for Sliema. The Serbian equalised for Sliema in the second session but Exiles made a quick reaction and finished the session 6-3. The goals came from Marko Jelaca and two goals from left-hander Mark Fenech.

Sliema's reaction was bold enough that they managed to turn the tables. First they equalised from  Nicholas Bugelli, Norbert Hoznyansky and Jerome Gabarretta and even opened up a three-goal lead  from Hoznyansky, Gabarretta and Michael Spiteri Staines.

Sliema continue to dominate and scored another four consecutive goals while Timmy Sullivan scored a consolation goal for Exiles. Hungarian Hoznyansky scored the last goal of the game from penalty.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta (3), G. Subotic (3), J. Sciberras, M. Meli (1), N. Hoznyansky (3), M. Spiteri Staines (2), L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli (2), M. Vassallo, K. Borg, J. Cachia

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca (3), T. Sullivan (1), S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech (2), K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic (1), A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Andrea Barletta

 

MARSAXLOKK BROWN'S........ 21

VALLETTA VIDEOSLOTS.......... 16

(4-4), (7-5), (6-3), (4-4)

First Division Champions Marsaxlokk Brown's Pharmacy made a vital step towards securing a historic Premier Division berth after defeating Valletta Videoslots 21-16. Despite that it was a collective effort, Ivan Nagaev was instrumental scoring no less than 13 goals in the process.

Valletta were lethargic in their display as they aren't a complete team lacking several spots in the pitch. They failed to be effective on position one while their main centre Sasa Misic didn't receive enough balls to deliver.

Marsaxlokk started the game better than their opponents and had a goal advantage four times in the first session, but Valletta responded for each goal. Valletta failed to control the game in the second session and Marsaxlokk kept the initiative, inspired by Nagaev who won the battle with his opponent Dmitri Kholod.

The Russian goal machine continued to carry his team in the third session, scoring four goals from six. Valletta were crumbling in their play and the team looked already destined for a defeat. They ended the session with a five-goal margin, and never looked with a chance to recover as for every goal they scored Marsaxlokk responded to keep their comfortable lead.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Rizzo (1), T. Agius, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic (4), I. Nagaev (13), S. Micallef (2), L. Saliba, M. Cacici, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar, M. Pace, K. Galea (1)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines (1), A. Agius, P. Borg, N. Farrugia (1), R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud (4), M. Cordina (1), C. Zammit, D. Kholod (6), A. Bianchi, R. Bonnici, S. Misic (3)

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Massimo Calabrò

 

NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS...... 21

TA' XBIEX AMIGOS............. 4

(7-0), (3-1), (5-3), (6-0)

Before this game everyone expected Neptunes Leo Vegas to win with ease and they didn't disappointed. The gap between the two teams is enormous and Neptunes kept scoring even when their big guns when rested, also out of respect of their opponents full of youngsters.

The game had only one direction. Neptunes started and finished the game scoring goals even when their coach Jovan Popovic kept Niki Lanzon, Petar Muslim and Darko Brguljan out of the water for the majority of the game. Stevie Camilleri kept his professional attitude helping the youngsters of the team with the help of his brother Jordan.

Neptunes were already 7-0 ahead at the end of the first session. Their foreigners scored a brace each without having to work really hard and it was a clear sign for Popovic to rotate the squad as much as possible.

In fact in the second session, Neptunes only scored three times from Stevie Camilleri, Jake Muscat and Nikolai Zammit while Nenad Kacar scored the first goal for Ta' Xbiex from penalty with less than a minute and a half from the end of the session.

The game kept its rhythm in the subsequent sessions. Youngsters like Ken Erdogan, Nikolai Muscat, Jake Muscat, Matthias Azzopardi, Sebastian Busuttil and Julian Farrugia all had a positive performance. Ta' Xbiex on the other hand scored three goals to Benji Busuttil who came on for Alan Borg Cole. In the last sessions Neptunes upped their game a bit and finished the game with a wider margin.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan (1), G. Pace, P. Muslim (3), D. Brguljan (1), S. Camilleri (9), J. Camilleri (2), J. Abela, N. Zammit (2), J. Muscat (2), M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil (1), J. Farrugia

Ta' Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, M. Demarco, M. Carani, G. Blundell, D. Fenech, N. Saliba, N. Kacar (3), S. Azzopardi, K. Tanti (1), N. Gitto, A. Theuma, J. Saliba, M. Mifsud

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimo Calabro