Blues charge up for showdown

San Giljan 5
Sliema 11
(0-1, 1-5, 2-2, 2-3)

Sliema McDonald's intentions were made clear yesterday. They made short shrift of a demoralised San Giljan Tropicana Juices side to set up what would certainly be another intriguing showdown next weekend against old foes Neptunes Vodafone who are currently sharing top spot with the Blues.

With San Giljan missing Yugoslav Vasovich, suspended for two matches, but having Boris Popovych back in their rank, Sliema were nevertheless able to neutralise any potential danger coming from the Saints with relative ease.

On the other hand, the prowess of Bogdan Rath and Raymond Fodor was too much for the Saints who also conceded some soft goals in the second session and this gave Sliema a strong foothold.

Moreover, San Giljan's inability to capitalise on numerous man-up sets, coun-tered by the Blues' excellent blocks plus a superior shot efficiency, were the foundations of Sliema's deserved victory.

That scoring bonanza in the second session was decisive for the Sliema team.

Both sides were erratic in a low-scoring opening session which had the Saints squandering three man-up sets and Fodor eventually giving the Blues the lead with a late goal.

Sliema increased the scoring tempo in the second quarter, with the Saints losing their concentration. Rath twice, Fodor, John Brownrigg and Clint Debono netted five times in reply to Federico Pagani's solitary goal.

Marco Rizzo replaced goalkeeper Dean Camilleri with Keith Schembri in the third session.

The Blues somewhat eased off, and with the Saints trying to get back in the reckoning the teams shared four goals but this enabled Sliema to maintain their five-goal advantage before the last session started.

The Saints remained erratic on shots, but not the Blues whose skill on blocking were complimented by their accuracy within shooting range. Clint Debono's drive from a distance, when he made it 9-3, was a case in point.

Two goals for the Saints were of little consequence after which the Blues sealed their victory with a brace in the last minute.

Before the start of both matches, a minute's silence was observed for Joe Muscat, known as Id-Dehbu, the former Sirens player who passed away.

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, C. Gialanze, B. Popovych 3, M. Borg Spiteri, M. Zammit, P. Fava, A. Bianchi 1, M. Pace, K. Schembri, F. Pagani 1, J. Xerri de Caro, K. Lanzon.

Sliema: J. Cachia, J. Gabaretta 1, J. Spiteri Staines, R. Fodor 2, M. Meli 1, J. Soler, D. Paolella 1, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono 2, J. Valletta, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 3, R. Coleiro.

Refs: A. De Raffaele, S. Alfi.

Marsaxlokk 7
Marsascala 11
(2-3, 2-3, 0-1, 3-4)

Marsascala kept alive their hopes of pipping Exiles to the Division Two title when they had the better of neighbours Marsaxlokk by a four-goal margin in a match which produced 18 goals.

Although not dominant, Marsascala had that extra edge over opponents who looked shot-shy with the exception of Italian Andrea Razzi.

On the other hand, Joseph Cremona and Liam Grixti, for the winners, were able to find space for themselves and score a hat-trick each.

Marsaxlokk: E. Arrigo, R. Calleja, A. Farrugia, A. Razzi 2, C. Bugeja 1, M. Bartolocci 1, E. Bonello, M. Buttigieg 1, K. Grima Scott, R. Attard 2, M. Zammit, A. Xuereb.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Borg 1, J.C. Cutajar, M. Borg 1, G. Ghirxi, L. Grixti 3, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona 3, M. Spiteri, R. Cutajar 1, S. Botond, G. Suti 1, S. Farrugia.

Refs: I. Sciriha, M. Caruana.

Next fixtures

Friday: Division Two - 6.15 p.m. Exiles vs Marsascala. Division One - 7.30 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.

Saturday: Division Two - 5.15 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Otters. Division One - 6.30 p.m. Sirens vs San Giljan.