Hats off to Neptunes Emirates’ all-rounder Vladimir Gojkovic for a truly remarkable performance which lifted his team-mates, not the least free-scoring Niki Lanzon, scorer of a nap-hand, to a 13-11 victory over Sliema McDonald’s and a 1-0 lead in the best-out-of-five play-off.

It was a steely match which exuded confidence from both sets of players who put all their heart in it in front of a very good crowd. That the Reds won was due to their calmness in the face of adversity when they had Tamas Molnar dismissed for protests after just over three and a half minutes into the third session.

The Blues came back momentarily after being three goals down but the Balluta team soon regained their composure courtesy of the Montenegro player as well as the fine covering from their defenders.

The Reds’ flying start through Lanzon’s brace within 48 seconds was neutralised in almost the same timeframe by Bogdan Rath and Clint Debono.

Raymond Fodor edged Sliema ahead only for Lanzon to notch his third before the Hungarian converted a Blues’ man-up for a 4-3 lead for Sliema.

It was a tight match sportingly contested, with strict attention on the respective centres. The charged atmosphere made for vibrant exchanges as both teams yielded nothing.

Neptunes scored four to their opponents’ two in the second quarter for a 7-6 lead. The Reds scored twice early in the third session to go 9-6 ahead but after Sliema had cut the deficit to 9-7, Molnar was sent off with substitution for showing dissent.

In no time the Blues levelled matters through Rath and Fodor but former Sliema player Edward Aquilina and the inimitable Gojkovic gave Neptunes a two-goal breather on 11-9 before the last session started.

The sporting battle continued in the last quarter between two unyielding teams. Neptunes kept their cool despite their handicap and two of their players hanging on two personal faults early in the match. Ian Bugeja, too, oozed confident in goal and with the Reds players, led by Gojkovic showing remarkable mastery, the champions played out the latter stages with self-belief to emerge worthy winners.

In the opening match, Marsascala meat.com confirmed the edge they had over their opponents Valletta Dhalia whom they had distanced by seven points in the league when they defeated the City team 11-6 in a decisive third match in the play-off series.

The southenders have thus retained the title they won last year, a deserved success not only on yesterday’s showing but also for their resilient and consistency during the league trek.

The opening session ended two-all with two goals in the final two seconds after each team had scored earlier on.

Exchanges continued on tight lines in the next quarter with southenders nosing ahead and the City team levelling matters each time, before Marsascala stretched their lead to 6-3.

Pierre Borg’s team continued to cover better when not in possession forcing Valletta into hurried or misplaced distant shots.

However, Alan Galea’s brace made it 7-5 before Mihajlo Koralji restored Marsascala’s three-goal lead at the end of the penultimate session. By then the Koralji brothers had each scored a hat-trick.

An uphill task faced the City team as the last quarter got under way. Timmy Agius also reached his hat-trick before Milos Koralji went one better for a 9-6 lead.

John Licari emulated the hat-trick notchers to make it 10-6 and a virtual safe haven towards the league title, sealed by a goal from Claudio Spiteri De Barro.

At the end of the match, BOV official Edward Muscat Azzopardi presented the cup to Marsascala captain Joseph Cremona.

Prior to the Neptunes-Sliema match a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Sliema ASC stalwart Edwin Meli.

Marsascala 11
Valletta 6
(2-2, 4-1, 2-2, 3-1)

Marsascala : E. Arrigo, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, M. Pace, S. Farrugia, D. Caruana, Mil. Koralji 4, J. Licari 3, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, D. Cassar, A. Zammit, Mih. Koralji 3.

Valletta : A. Sammut, G. Sammut, A. Di Somma, C. Bonello, R. Muncaksy 1, S. Cachia, A. Galea 2, K. Micallef, T. Agius 3, S. Cini, A. Arrigo, G. Ghirxi, K.Micallef.

Refs: I. Sciriha, A. Severo.

Neptunes 13
Sliema 11
(3-4, 4-2, 4-3, 2-2)

Neptunes : I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 5, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 1, J. Camilleri, B. Lanzon, S. Camilleri 1, V. Gojkovic 4, K. Debattista, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 1, M. Pisani.

Sliema : R. Coleiro, J. Gabaretta, N. Lubrano, R. Fodor 3, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 2, D. Paolella, M. Rizzo, C. Debono 1, P. Privitera, B. Rath 4, J. Spiteri Staines, D. Abela.

Refs: M. Angileri, A. Severo.

Tomorrow

Div. One Third-place play-off 5.15 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Sirens. Division One Play-off final (game two) 6.30 p.m. Sliema vs Neptunes.

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