SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS.... 11

SIRENS MECCA MARINE....... 7

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

 

San Ġiljan JP Projects stayed in the hunt for their seventh Premier Division knock-out in the last eight years. They defeated Sirens Mecca Marine in another tough encounter to clinch a place in next week’s final.

Sirens proved to be a tough nut to crack but failed to get one over their opponents and were constrained to try and catch up their opponents. Despite being on the losing end, Sirens had a string of good performances against the big teams but don’t have yet the killer instinct.

Sirens held a 2-1 advantage after they had cancelled Matthew Zammit’s opener. But San Ġiljan took the lead through goals from Darren Zammit and Andreas Galea. Zeljko Kovacic’s side tried to take control of the game in the second session, but Sirens pulled the brakes and reduced the gap twice to a goal. That was only until Galea scored his second of the game for a 6-4 lead.

Jerome Zerafa Gregory’s initial goal in the third session kept San Ġiljan under pressure as Sirens looked well drilled under Marko Orlovic’s instructions. San Ġiljan had several opportunities and were even denied by post more than once. Captain Matthew Zammit tipped home from centre to keep the two-goal cushion.

That goal proved to be pivotal as San Ġiljan scored again in the opening minutes of the last session. Darren Zammit and later Ben Plumpton sealed the deal. Sirens although in vain, reduced the margin with two goals from Zerafa Gregory and Gianni Farrugia while Nikolai Zammit made sure that San Ġiljan win by four goals.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg, A. Galea (2), N. Schiavone, M. Zammit (2), B. Plumpton (2), D. Tully, J. Bonavia, N. Zammit (3), D. Zammit (2), N. Bugelli, G. Vassallo, M. Ortoleva, D. Fero

Sirens: T. Micallef, P. Serracino (1), K. Erdogan, J. Sciberras (1), J. Zerafa Gregory (2), G. Farrugia (1), M. Chircop, I. Riolo, J. Napier (1), M. Cutajar (1), M. Sciberras, M. Azzopardi, M. Bonello Dupuis, G. Melillo, K. Agius

Referees: Alex de Raffaele, Raffaele Colombo

 

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT....... 7

NEPTUNES VIDEOSLOTS...... 13

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

 

Neptunes Videoslots are one step closer to win the BOV Premier Division KO for the first time since 2019. They were never in danger of losing the game, despite the effort by their opponents.

Birżebbuġa Freeport lacked their coach Pierre Borg but had veteran David Cutajar back. On the other hand, Jordan Camilleri was missing while youngster Jake Muscat couldn’t continue the match due to physical issues.

Neptunes held a 3-1 advantage at the end of the first session. Michael Spiteri Staines, Stevie Camilleri and Alec Fenech responded to the initial goal from distance by Keith Tanti. Their advantage doubled in the second session until Tanti scored his second personal goal to cut the lead to 6-3.

Christian Mifsud reduced the deficit to two goals with a powerful shot at the beginning of the third session. But Neptunes stepped up and with two minutes until the end of the session, they held a 10-5 lead, an advantage that practically assured them the win. During the last session, Neptunes continued to control the game with Michael Spiteri Staines and Stevie Camilleri continuing their lovely evening in front of goal.

Birżebbuġa: M. Vassallo, J. Farrugia, N. Cassar, B. Grech (2), C. Mifsud (1), R. Mock, N. Fenech, D. Cutajar (1), D. Farrugia, K. Tanti (2), M. Curmi, M. Sladden, D. Incorvaja, G. Sammut (1)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, J. Muscat (1), S. Gialanze (1), G. Pace, J. Cachia (1), J. Spiteri Staines, S. Camilleri (4), J. Abela (1), M. Spiteri Staines (4), A. Fenech (1), M. Castillo, M. Rossi, M. Farrugia

Referees: Arnaldo Petronilli, Peter Balzan