Sliema McDonald’s kept up the chase behind league leaders Neptunes Emirates yesterday when they beat off the challenge of San Ġiljan Firetech by ten goals to seven, a victory which was clear-cut even if not so convincing.

San Ġiljan’s profligacy, especially on man-ups, was their undoing as the Blues’ superior clinical finishing, even if tempered with some waste­fulness, was all too clear. There was also the added handicap for the Saints of having their potential goal-scorer Edward Aquilina missing.

At one point in the last session, and with about three minutes to go, San Ġiljan pulled back to 8-6 from a six-goal deficit. Sliema though made it 9-6 only for the Saints to pull another goal back before Mark Meli sealed the issue for the champions.

A goal up early on, the Blues survived two man-down sets to go 2-0 ahead before the Saints squandered more extra man situations.

Marco Risso’s anguish at his team’s continued failure to exploit their extra man sets was met by relief from Sliema’s clan.

Bogdan Rath made it 3-0 on a penalty with Marton Toth reducing the gap.

John Soler netted his second from his favourite no.4 position for a 4-1 scoreline at the half-way mark.

The Blues’ momentum was kept up in the third quarter with San Ġiljan only able to get off the mark on the seventh time of asking when Sliema were a man short.

Sliema widened their lead through Meli, Rath and Nicolai Lubrano with Heiko Nossek scoring the second for a 7-2 scoreline before the last restart.

San Ġiljan’s mini-comeback in the last quarter brought a glimpse of hope for them. They scored four goals on the trot through Paul Fava (2), Toth and again Nossek after Jerome Gabaretta had given Sliema an 8-2 lead.

Two goals at each end, and with Risso dismissed for protests, Sliema breathed freely especially when Meli netted a late goal after Nossek had once more cut down the deficit for his team on 9-7.

Division Two

Having been dumped to the tune of 45 goals in their opening two matches, Marsaxlokk continued with their improvement even if they lost again yesterday. But they ran Otters Nivea close losing by a two-goal margin.

The Gozitans, on their part, are now one point adrift of leaders Marsascala.

The match developed along tight lines after Otters took a 6-2 advantage. But the Southerners fought back to go 7-6 ahead before throwing in the towel in the latter part of the game.

Summaries

San Ġiljan 7
Sliema 10
(0-2, 1-2, 1-3, 5-3)

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, M. Pace, K. Galea, C. Gialanze, K. Dowling, H. Nossek 3, A. Bianchi, K. Galea, R. Scerri, P. Fava 2, M. Toth 2, K. Schembri.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabaretta 1, N. Lubrano 1, P. Privitera, M. Meli 2, J. Soler 3, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, A. Kunac, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 3, A. Bianchi.

Referees: P. Balzan, L. Bianco.

Marsaxlokk 8
Otters 10
(1-2, 4-4, 3-2, 0-2)

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

Otters: A. Sciberras, C. Saliba, M. Galea Pace 2, Z. Radocz 4, D. Schembri, P. Szabo, K. Mizzi 1, S. Dimech, K. Scicluna, C. Martin 1, A. Arrigo 1, O. Zammit, K. Grima Scott 1.

Referees: M. Angileri, S. Licari.

Next Fixtures

Friday: 18.00 Marsascala vs Otters; 19.15 Neptunes vs Sirens.

Saturday: 17.00 Ta’ Xbiex vs Marsaxlokk; 18.15 Sliema vs Exiles.

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