Neptunes Emirates yesterday made a big step towards earning a berth in the BOV KO final for Premier Division clubs when they dismissed neighbours San Ġiljan Giuseppe’s by a seven-goal margin for a 14-7 victory, a result which they will now take to the second leg on Wednesday.
The Reds were undoubtedly superior to the Saints who paraded newcomer Darko Brguljan.
After a close first session, Neptunes had already taken a 7-3 advantage and were looking good when San Ġiljan had Matthew Zammit expelled on three fouls towards the end of the second session.
With Neptunes having already gained the ascendancy, their edge grew more pronounced as they had Alexandar Ciric marshalling at the back and Steve Camilleri displaying his scoring instincts.
With Karl Galea also out on three fouls midway through the third session, San Ġiljan’s plight grew more desperate even if Tomas Molnar was also dismissed for Neptunes.
The Reds kept playing the tune before they finally went into play-pause mode. Their victory had long been sealed.
In a high-scoring Division One KO semi-final (first leg) of fluctuating fortunes, Otters Nivea gained a three-goal advantage over holders Ta’ Xbiex Amigos who overturned an early three-goal deficit to take a similar advantage in the middle session.
However, a great comeback by the Gozitan team, sealed by three goals from Karl Scicluna, Mate Balatoni and Kyle Debattista, saw them turn the tables on their opponents with the Hungarian Zoltan Radocz picking his spot no fewer than seven times.
For the losers, newcomer Laszlo Suranyi and Yuri Szeles scored six and five times respectively as the match turned out to be a very exciting affair.
Summaries
Ta’ Xbiex 15
Otters 18
(4-5, 6-3, 2-2, 3-8)
Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, J. Cremona, A. Galea 1, T. Zammit, L. Suranyi 6, C. Bugeja, K. Galea 2, S. Cini, N. Bonello Ghio, C. Saliba, R. Attard, O. Zammit 1, Y. Szeles 5.
Otters: A. Cachia, A. Cachia, G. Zammit 1, Z. Radocz 7, K. Scicluna 3, M. Balatoni 3, J. Paris 2, S. Dimech, E. Farrugia, K. Debattista 1, C. Martin, P. Martin, K. Grima Scott 1.
Referees: P. Balzan, R. Spiteri.
Neptunes 14
San Ġiljan 7
(3-2, 5-1, 4-2, 2-2)
Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 2, E. Aquilina 3, M. Stellini, G. Pace, A. Ciric 1, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camil-leri 1, B. Lanzon, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 2, C. Mercieca.
San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, N. Sutic 2, K. Galea, B. Plumpton, M. Zammit 1, D. Brguljan 1, A. Bianchi, R. Mock, C. Gialanze, K. Mock, D. Abela, M. Pisani 3.
Referees: I. Sciriha, A. Petronilli.
Playing today
Division One KO SF (1st leg): 5 p.m. Marsascala vs Valletta.
Premier KO QF (2nd leg): 6.15 p.m. Exiles vs Sirens.