Photo: Michael Paris

 

SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS..... 17

SLIEMA FRANK SALT............. 12

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

 

The last clash between these two teams sparked a rivalry following the controversial episode surrounding the bite of Ben Plumpton to two Sliema players, the decision by ASA Disciplinary Board and later the ASA Appeals Board.

From that game onwards, both teams continued to show that they are currently the best two teams, but the only difference was that Sliema defeated Neptunes while San Ġiljan ended draw against Neptunes and lost on penalties.

This win permitted San Ġiljan to finish the regular season in first place, a point above Sliema and will face Sirens in the play-offs while Sliema will have to play against Neptunes.

On the day, San Ġiljan were better than Sliema. Simple as that. But that doesn’t mean that should they face each other in the final, it’s a no contest. Aaron Younger continued to show his quality as he was not only their chief scorer but the mastermind during several attacks of his team.

Credit not only goes to coach Zeljko Kovacic for the preparation but also to his assistant Marko Orlovic. They had to adjust after their captain Matthew Zammit was sent-off, they were compact in defence aside from some moments and hit their opponents in crucial moments.

After Liam Galea’s initial goal, San Ġiljan reacted and opened a 4-1 lead during half a session. John Brownrigg pulled one back following a well-played man-up and few seconds later, Matthew Zammit was sent-off after he elbowed his opponent.

Zammit had scored twice at the point and looked to be a setback for San Ġiljan. Sliema took advantage immediately and equalised from Giacomo Cannella and a penalty by Jayden Cutajar but Younger kept San Ġiljan 5-4 ahead.

San Ġiljan regained their composure and inspired by Younger, built an 8-4 lead. Sliema had to stage a comeback and ended the session two goals behind. Cannella scored twice from a penalty and a man-up situation while Benji Cachia scored after Russell Caruana’s goal.

Kovacic’s men started the third session on the right foot, like the previous session. Goals by Darren Zammit and Younger permitted San Ġiljan to have a positive 11-7 lead.

Sliema made a bold reaction and in the space of two and a half minutes, they reduced the margin to only a goal. Cutajar from man-up, a lob by Dino Zammit and another man-up this time scored by Zach Mizzi revitalised Sliema’s aspirations.

But that hope was short lived as San Ġiljan scored twice in the last minute of the session from Jake Bonavia and a man-up scored by Nikolai Zammit to put their team in the driving seat ahead of the last session.

Younger and Cannella both scored to keep the gap of three goals with almost half a session to go. Younger’s seventh personal goal, right after Cannella’s goal, made it difficult for their opponents and the lob by Jeremy Abela killed Sliema’s hopes to avoid defeat. Nikolai Zammit continued his team’s celebrations as Jamie Gambin’s goal in the last minute served only for personal consolation.

As we head to the most crucial part of the season, both teams might face each other again in the BOV Knock-Out or in the Play-Off Finals.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli, D. Tully, R. Caruana (1), A. Younger (7), M. Zammit (2), J. Bonavia (2), A. Formosa, J. Abela (1), N. Zammit (2), D. Zammit (2), N. Schiavone, G. Borg, G. Bonavia

Sliema: N. Grixti, E. Schembri, L. Galea (1), J. Gambin (1), G. Cannella (4), B. Cachia (1), J. Cutajar (2), D. Rizzo, J. Brownrigg (1), A. Galea, Z. Mizzi (1), D. Zammit (1), M. Castillo, J. Cassar

Referees: Daniele Bianco, Massimo Angileri

 

VALLETTA IZIBET............... 14

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT.... 8

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

 

Ivan Nagaev was again the protagonist for Valletta as they eased past Birżebbuġa Freeport in their last contest of the league for this season. All in all, Valletta didn’t disappoint in the Premier League despite that they didn’t snatch a spot in the Top 4. They had several encouraging performances, but they still have a difficult task to close the gap from the teams above them.

Birżebbuġa reached their aim to play in Premier Division but the gap from the other teams was evident. On a positive note, Spaniard Alberto Barroso had a positive campaign and was the right choice to be the foreigner.

Ironically Birżebbuġa opened the score, but Valletta soon reacted and gained an important 4-1 advantage from the early moments of the game. Birżebbuġa cut the deficit to only a goal in the beginning of the second session from Marco Mannino and Barroso. Valletta reacted at the right time to not only conserve their lead but also managed to stretch their lead to 7-3.

Following Barroso’s third goal of the game before the end of the second session, Valletta made sure of the win as they scored another series of three consecutive goals to build a 10-4 lead. Ivan Nagaev scored twice in the process alongside a goal by Kieyan Borg.

At that point all was won and lost but Birżebbuġa still tried to salvage something. During the first part of the last session, they cut the gap to 10-7. Valletta stayed in control during the final minutes and even regained their comfortable lead, scoring three consecutive goals for the third time in the game from Nagaev, Jacob Sciberras and Sebastian Busuttil.

Valletta will face Sliema next week in the BOV Knock-Out Preliminary Round while Birżebbuġa face holders San Ġiljan JP Projects.

Valletta: B. Busuttil, M. Mifsud (3), J. Sciberras (2), S. Busuttil (1), K. Borg (1), M. Zammit (1), I. Nagaev (6), S. Micallef, A. Agius, M. Chircop, K. Cremona, A. Bugeja, C. Mercieca

Birżebbuġa: M. Sladden, M. Aquilina, N. Cassar, B. Grech, S. Bezzina, M. Manara (1), A. Barroso (5), M. Cassar, D. Farrugia, M. Cutajar, M. Mannino (1), M. Curmi (1), S. Livori, D. Incorvaja

Referees: Federico Braghini, Richard Magri

 

FIRST DIVISION

MARSAXLOKK MFF........... 14

OTTERS NIVEA................. 11

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

 

Marsaxlokk: M. Farrugia, M. Lanzon (1), A. Cook (2), A. Aquilina, T. Agius, J. Valletta (3), R. Spiteri, J. Pawley, R. Galea (2), J. Borg Tabone, F. Valera (4), R. Attard, A. Fava (1), S. Mifsud (1)

Otters: M. Xerri, M. Bonnici, K. Scicluna, K. Micallef, M. Meli (2), D. Dimech, T. Milne, S. Dimech, L. Dimech (4), P. Smiljevic (5), M. Farrugia, A. Dimech, M. Grech, T.J. Mifsud

Referees: Federico Braghini, Stefan Licari

 

                        P          W         D         L          F          A         Pts

San Ġiljan       10        7          3          0          163      97        26

Sliema             10        8          1          1          150      109      25

Neptunes         10        5          2          3          125      112      18

Sirens              10        4          0          6          94        119      12

____________________________________________________________

Valletta            10        3          0          7          128      143      9

Birżebbuġa      10        0          0          10        84        164      0

*2 points for the winner and 1 point for the loser if the game must be decided on penalties

 

                        P          W         D         L          F          A         Pts

Marsaxlokk     10        10        0          0          160      98        30

Exiles              10        6          0          4          133      104      18

Marsaskala     10        5          1          4          114      108      17

Ta’ Xbiex          10        4          1          5          103      116      13

____________________________________________________________

Otters              10        4          0          6          104      101      12

Barracudas     10        0          0          10        78        165      0

*2 points for the winner and 1 point for the loser if the game must be decided on penalties

 

Upcoming Fixtures

BOV KO – I Division

Tomorrow

Marsaskala v Ta’ Xbiex           7.15pm

Exiles v Barracudas    8.30pm

 

BOV KO – Premier Division

Tuesday

Birżebbuġa v San Ġiljan           7.15pm

Sliema v Valletta         8.30pm