San Giljan Tum Invest 11
Neptunes 5
(2-2), (4-1), (4-1), (1-1)
San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, K. Tanti, A. Galea (2), D. Ciantar, M. Mannino, M. Zammit (3), B. Plumpton (2), J. Bonavia, Z. Micallef, Da. Zammit, P. Fava (1), Di. Zammit (3), G. Vassallo, M. Ortoleva
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, J. Muscat, L. Calleja, G. Pace (2), S. Busuttil, J. Spiteri Staines, S. Camilleri (2), J. Camilleri, J. Abela (1), S. Stellini, S. Gialanze, B. Busuttil, M. Castillo, M. Farrugia
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Alex de Raffaele
San Giljan gave another five star performance yesterday, beating champions Neptunes in the Balluta derby. This was the first leg in a best out of three series, and the second match will be played on Saturday. If Neptunes win, the series will be decided on Monday.
Neptunes did give a fight yesterday, especially in the first session, but then San Giljan’s power came to the fore in the second and third session as Neptunes could not keep the pace.
San Giljan twice took the lead in the first session with goals from Matthew Zammit and Andreas Galea, but twice Neptunes managed to recover with a brace from Gabriel Pace.
The start of the second session was the turning point of the match, with San Giljan scoring three times inside the first three minutes and with Neptunes unable to recover.
Dino Zammit made it 3-2, and Andreas Galea increased the lead from a penalty, before Dino Zammit was again on the mark with San Giljan taking advantage of a man up situation.
A Stevie Camilleri penalty gave the outgoing champions some hope, but Matthew Zammit quickly re-established the three-goal cushion.
The third quarter was Neptunes’ fatal blow as San Giljan scored four goals with no answer to make it 10-3.
Paul Fava scored a good goal with a precise lob, as other goals from Matthew Zammit and a Ben Plumpton brace followed. Jeremy Abela pulled one back near the end for Neptunes.
The fourth and final session was a formality with Neptunes throwing in the towel and with San Giljan in full control and looking forward for tomorrow’s second final.