The formalities were completed yesterday when Sliema McDonald’s won the second of a three-match play-off series to clinch their sixth BOV Winter League title in anticipation of a scheduled third encounter between the teams.
It was the third successive triumph for the Blues, one which was richly deserved considering their resourceful formation including the fringe players.
Sirens Ritter Sport contrived to give Sergio Afric’s team the base Sliema were looking for as they took a commanding lead in the early parts of the game. After that the duel was all but over despite Sirens’ efforts to make a contest of it.
In fact, the Blues had a blistering start. They were already four goals up inside the first three and a half minutes. Their triumvirate of John Soler, Mark Meli and Bogdan Rath were too much for Sirens to cope with.
Indeed, Sliema’s 6-1 first session lead was a solid platform on which they could go for the jugular in terms of substitutions. The northerners were relying on Clint Mercieca for some sort of impact and this player’s response was effective as he netted four goals in a row.
But, the Blues did not relinquish their momentum after seeing the gap closed to 6-4 late in the second session. Another goal netted by the much-improved James Spiteri Staines made it 7-4 midway through.
But for Mercieca, Sliema were always some notches ahead in the unmarking and covering stages. Moreover, when Rath was in full flow, Sliema had an added technical and psychological boost.
Meanwhile, Meli, James Spiteri Staines and Soler reached their hat-trick for a lead of 11-5 with one session left.
The rest was of no consequence except for statistics including Soler’s fourth goal. Sliema’s comfortable victory had long been in the bag.
The final act was the presentation of the prize to Sliema captain Clint Debono by Peter Perotti, Chief Officer at BOV.
In a match which had a prestige tag more than anything else tied to it, Neptunes Emirates defeated neighbours San Ġiljan Firetech to clinch third place in this preparatory competition for the summer league.
The Reds were full worth their victory, if anything for the way they asserted their superiority before they went into ‘pause mode’.
The Saints, without the useful Paul Fava, were on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline inside the first session. Neptunes kept the upperhand despite constant changes of their units.
Two more goals in the second quarter extended their advantage as San Ġiljan, without the suspended coach Karl Izzo, could only score twice from penalty throws.
But the Saints were not completely undone yet and with half of the last session left, they closed in on 8-6 as Neptunes grew a little casual.
The Reds, however, soon restored their three-goal lead after which they cruised home with the Saints netting the last goal.
Summaries
Sliema 13
Sirens 6
(6-1, 1-3, 4-2, 2-0)
Sliema: R. Coleiro, M. Spiteri Staines 1, N. Lubrano, P. Privitera, M. Meli 3, J. Soler 4, D. Paolella, J. Spiteri Staines 3, C. Debono, M. Cordina, B. Rath 2, M. Agius, D. Abela.
Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard, P. Micallef, P. Borg, A. Sammut, R. Mock, J. Borg, D. Cutajar, M. Grech, C. Zammit 1, L. Caruana, D. Zammit 1, C. Mercieca 4.
Refs: P. Balzan, M. Dalli.
Neptunes 9
San Ġiljan 7
(4-2, 2-0, 2-2, 1-3)
Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 2, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 3, G. Pace, K. Debattista 1, T. Agius, M. Lanzon, B. Buhagiar, S. Gravina 2, J. Gauci, D. Debattista, M. Pisani.
San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar 1, A. Galea, K. Galea, M. Borg Spiteri, K. Dowling 1, L. Grixti 1, A. Bianchi 2, K. Mock, C. Gialanze 2, A. Bugeja, M. Fenech, K. Schembri.
Refs: S. Licari, P. Balzan.