Comeback masters Sliema eyeing return to the summit

The 7-Up National League enters a delicate stage today when leaders Go Mobile Sirens come up against defending champions Sliema Burger King in the second match of the programme which is preceded by Neptunes Vodafone against Marsascala Breakers.

The latter match starts at 5.30 p.m. and Neptunes cannot afford to lose any points here if they still expect to challenge for the honours.

Their dramatic narrow defeats at the hands of Sirens and Sliema (twice), all by the odd goal, have heavily dented their aspirations to challenge for this year's honours and if they lose again today they can write finis to their hopes.

Marsascala, on the other hand, have recorded two impressive victories agai-nst Sirens and Sliema, but against Neptunes, they seem to lose concentration and, more often than not, have often come a cropper against them. The southseasiders will probably have in their side John Licari who until a week ago formed part of the Neptunes side.

Licari will be one of at least five players with Neptunes roots in the Marsascala side which will also be boosted today by the return of starlet Clint Mercieca who is expected to make his first appearance after a very long absence.

The 'match of the day' will no doubt be the second one on the programme at 6.30 p.m.

Leaders Sirens, who enjoyed a four-point lead over their nearest rivals at the start of the Division One league, have seen this gap between them and the second-placed team reduced to two.

Having champions Sliema, fresh from their tight victory against Neptunes on Sunday, facing them today, is by no means an easy task.

The St Paul's Bay side, under the shrewd guidance of Guzi Attard, will not relinquish this lead lightly but Sliema, led by the evergreen Sergio Afric, are experts at crawling back in the limelight when least expected.

It would be no surprise if they join the same Sirens tonight at the top.

Incidentally, if Sliema and Marsascala were to win their respective matches today, three teams would be level on 16 points at the top with Neptunes languishing at the bottom, four points adrift.

The fare provided in the latest matches has been very entertaining, and due to the importance of today's games the crowds are expected to flock again to the national pool at Tal-Qroqq.