Marsaxlokk shake off Citizens in last session

Marsaxlokk 9
Valletta 3
(1-0 1-1 2-0 5-2)

Marsaxlokk Freeport took three full sessions to finally steer clear of bottom-placed Valletta in yesterday's second preliminary match on the programme.

The City team held their own in the opening sessions but floundered in the latter stages to allow their opponents a clear way to victory.

Mild exchanges marked the first part of the game. A solitary goal gave Marsaxlokk the lead as Valletta tried to hold firm against the southseasiders.

The next session was not much better in terms of goals and notable episodes. Marsaxlokk converted a penalty to go two up. However, they remained unconvincing, even allowing for the City team's valid tactics. Valletta brought their second extra-man set to fruition to pull a goal back.

Ronnie Spiteri's team improved slightly in the third session, but not enough to shake off their opponents. Leonard Cachia's playmaking was useful as two more goals before the third session ended made it a less uncomfortable 4-1 scoreline in favour of the second division champions.

The Citizens' resistance waned in the final quarter. S. Cutajar chalked a poker, which takes them on the eight-point mark. Valletta remained pointless.

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, L. Cachia, J. Zammit, D. Sullivan, C. Bonello (1), S. Cachia (1), A. Privitera (1), S. Cutajar (4), M. Zammit, C. Jones, D. Cassar (1), K. Incorvaja (1), A. Xuereb.

Valletta: E. Arrigo, D. Taylor, M. Camilleri, K. Hyzler, D. Degiorgio (1), M. Decesare, P. Gatt, W. Galea (1), J. Farrugia, D. Shaw, N. Micallef, M. Micallef (1), G. Zammit.

Referees: Ant. Farrugia/Ant. Fenech.

San Giljan 9
Ta' Xbiex 9
(3-1 2-3 0-4 4-1)

A keen dual between San Giljan Kia Motors and Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise ended up all square with no fewer than 18 goals being shared.

Fortunes fluctuated dramatically with first one team then the other taking a three-goal lead. Press at one end cost Ta' Xbiex dearly, while zone cover at the other was exploited at the expense of San Giljan.

The Saints were off to a fine start when taking a three-goal lead midway through the opening session. Ta' Xbiex, who were being caught on the break, managed to reduce the gap before the session ended.

They cut the leeway by another goal, but another break against them proved costly as San Giljan made it 4-2. However, a good recovery by Ta' Xbiex brought them two goals and the equaliser, before the Saints went 5-4 ahead on the stoke of session time.

While Ta' Xbiex grew in stature, Warren Debono's team went to pieces in the third quarter. They conceded four goals without reply to slide to a 5-8 deficit. Santino Micallef's hat-trick emulated that Malcolm Fava netted earlier.

These two players maintained the scoring tempo in the last session, which turned out to be somewhat nervous. Unbelievably, San Giljan pulled all their strings to level the score, only to miss a late penalty.

San Giljan: K. Sciberras, C. Grima, M. Zarb, M. Camilleri, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja (2), M. Lombardi (1), J. Mercieca, G. Farrugia (1), M. Fava (5), G. Ghirxi, D. Debono, C. Bonello.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard (2), K. Sciortino, G. Stellina (2), S. Zammit, E. Pisani, M. Psaila (1), D. Schembri, T. Boyd, E. Barbara, A. Arrigo, F. Testa, S. Micallef (4).

Referees: P. Balzan/M. Caruana.