Sliema pip San Ġiljan as Neptunes deny Exiles

A meaningless match between Sliema McDonald’s and Sirens Ritter Sport went the way of the Blues with the result earning them the second spot before the competition goes into recess only to start from scratch on Friday.

The surprise package from Sliema was the introduction of Hungarian Victor Bendes in goal. The re-inclusion of the rehabilitated Paul Privitera was a plus for the Għar id-Dud team.

Sirens, without Jurgen Borg, led 4-3 after the first session. Sliema’s tighter marking in the next quarter and their better finishing helped them overturn the scoreline on 6-4.

The Blues shaded the next sessions 5-4 to make it 11-8 before the start of the last part of the game.

Both teams utilised more players from their lists. Sirens equalised on 11-11 with under three minutes left after their goalkeeper Joseph Sammut had to quit injured. Sliema regained their three-goal advantage to end 14-11 winners with John Soler scoring five goals.

In the first match and with 3CX Exiles having the daunting task of at least picking minimum spoils against Neptunes Emirates, who were intent on keeping their perfect record, the Reds were again in uncompromising mood as they dismissed their opponents 19-10. The final result sealed Sirens’ place in the play-off semi-finals.

A massive seven-goal base resulting from the Reds’ superiority in the first session had Steve Camilleri firing in four goals with Tamas Molnar and Nikki Lanzon netting two of the others. Those conversions had the three players maintaining their record of scoring in every league match.

A number of substitutions by Sergey Markoch as well as Exiles’ improved play kept the margin between the teams on seven goals after six were shared in the second session.

Marco Cuk was the next to emulate the three Neptunes players who scored in every match.

Molnar increased his tally to seven goals as the last session began with the Reds 16-8 ahead.

Neptunes without Michele Stellini and long-term absentee Brian Buhagiar, kept cruising despite the usual introduction of fringe players.

The great Vladimir Gojkovic netted his usual goal for another en plein in league matches. Statistics were the only element in the forefront as Molnar was followed by Steve Camilleri and the confident Matthew Pisani who each scored a poker.

Neptunes 19
Exiles 10
(7-0, 3-3, 6-5, 3-2)

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 3, B. Lanzon, M. Stellini, J. Camilleri, K. Debattista, S. Camilleri 4, V. Gojkovic 1, G. Pace, J. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 7, M. Pisani 4.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 1, M. Calleja 1, M. Cuk 4, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin 1, N. Portelli, A. Sciberras, K. Lanzon 2.

Referees: M. Dalli, R. Daniele.

Sliema 14
Sirens 11
(3-4, 3-0, 5-4, 3-3)

Sliema: V. Bendes, N. Bonello Ghio, N. Lubrano 1, R. Fodor 3, M. Meli, J. Soler 5, D. Paolella, M. Spiteri Staines, C. Debono, P. Privitera 2, M. Rizzo 2, J. Spiteri Staines 1, D. Abela.

Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard 1, P. Micallef, P. Borg, C. Kiss 5, R. Mock, N. Grixti, D. Cutajar 2, G. Kristo­novic 1, C. Zammit, L. Caruana, D. Zammit 1, C. Mercieca 1.

Referees: M. Angileri, R. Daniele.

Playing on Friday: Play-off SFs – Div. Two: 17.15  Marsascala vs Valletta. Div. One: 18.30 Neptunes vs Sirens.

Standings