Sirens’ comeback wins them the day

In a match could go some way towards determining the minor placings in the Division One standings, Sirens Ritter Sports’ unsung hero David Cutajar netted a dramatic winner for his team to complete their remarkable comeback when reversing a 9-4 scoreline to win 11-10.

It was a thrilling finale which had Karl Izzo’s team staging that almost unbelievable volte-face to keep their opponents stunned after they dominated the first three sessions.

The Saints started on the right note when they took a 3-1 lead by the end of the first session, generally restricting their opponents to shooting from outside seven metres. Heiko Nosseck bang into scoring form in the second session when netting four goals to add to his previous brace in the opening quarter.

San Ġiljan’s 8-3 lead by the halfway mark indicated that they were in control. But Sirens showed some marked improvement in the next quarter and managed to reduce the gap to 9-5 with Tamas Varga netting twice on either side of Christian Gialanze’s ninth goal for the Saints. Soon after Yugoslav Vasovich saw his penalty saved by Dean Camilleri.

However, the northerners were not outdone and started their recovery while at the same time Marco Risso’s team seemed to fade out.

A goal from 11 metres from Vasovich started Sirens’ comeback which had them adding five further goals through Alex Attard (twice), Vasovich again, Jurgen Borg and the last salvo coming from Cutajar with two seconds left after seven-goal Nosseck had equalised 32 seconds earlier. Indeed the day belonged to Sirens.

Without exerting themselves unduly and at the same time tossing away a host of chances on the break, Marsascala Solid Base Engineering saw off companions from the south Marsaxlokk to the tune of 15 goals to 10 in yesterday’s first match.

With Koen Vogel replacing Adam Dekker, Marsaxlokk tried to take battle to their opponents after a 6-2 drubbing in the first session. This inspite having David Pace Lupi retiring through injury.

Thanks to Marsascala’s solid base in that first session and 12 goals netted between Milos Koralji (seven) and Timmy Agius (5), Anthony Farrugia’s team were not in real trouble, even if their opponents where not completely downtrodden as Englishman Kris Vang ended as their top scorer with a hat-trick.

San Ġiljan 10
Sirens 11
(3-1, 5-2, 1-2, 1-6)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. ­Spiteri De Barro, M. Pace, K. Galea, C. Gialanze 1, H. Nosseck 7, A. Bianchi, E. Aquilina 1, R. Scerri, P. Fava, M. Toth 1, K. Schembri.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard 2, J. Spiteri Staines, P. Borg, C. Mercieca 1, T. Varga 2, D. Cutajar 1, J. Borg 1, C. Zammit 1, Y. Vasovich 3, D. Zammit, E. Arrigo.

Refs: M. Dalli, I. Sciriha.

Marsascala 15
Marsaxlokk 10
(6-2, 3-2, 2-3, 4-3)

Marsascala: R. Sciortino, J.C. Cutajar, B. Szabo, L. Grixti, M. Borg Spiteri 1, M. Koralji 7, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona, S. Micallef 1, T. Agius 5, D. Cassar, M. Ciappara, S. Farrugia.

Marsaxlokk: A. Sammut, K. Vogel 2, R. Calleja 1, D. Pace Lupi 2, M. Paris, K. Hyzler 2, K. Vang 3, C. Gambin, T. Camilleri, J.C. Farrugia, N. Camilleri.

Refs: A. De Raffaele, P. Balzan.

Today: 5 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Otters; 6.15 p.m. Neptunes vs Sliema.