Despite betraying occasional signs of rustiness yesterday, Neptunes Emirates had enough ammunition to brush aside Exiles Ferretti and thus book a place against Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate in next month’s BOV KO final.
It was a match which had the result definitely sealed soon after the second session, the high points being the scoring opportunism of Steve Camilleri and Tamas Molnar, who netted nine goals between them for Neptunes, and the high workrate of the dependable Alexandar Ciric for the Reds.
A one-goal lead for Exiles after Steve Camilleri had a penalty saved was followed by three Reds’ goals, two of which from Jordan Camilleri.
Molnar was employed in a retreated role in the initial part of the game in lieu of the absent Niki Lanzon who only appeared in the second session.
David Pace Lupi, scorer of two goals in all, reduced the gap to 3-2 for Exiles.
Four goals for Neptunes in the second eight-minute quarter made it a more familiar scoreline at the half-way mark. Lanzon appeared briefly to score one of the goals.
But Neptunes’ form suggested that they were not yet out of the woods especially after Exiles reduced the gap from 8-2 to 8-5.
However, five conversions on the spin put the Reds home and dry on 13-5 at the end of the third quarter.
Beyond Neptunes’ clear edge, the cause of their opponents was not being helped as the losers had already missed their four man-up sets.
The eight-goal margin in the Reds’ favour was maintained after the teams shared six goals in the last session.
Valletta through
Valletta United proceeded to the final of the First Division KO after defeating Marsaxlokk 13-6 in a match marked by seven goals from Milos Koralija.
After taking the lead, Valletta conceded two goals to trail 2-1 at the end of the first session. Five consecutive nettings, and one conceded, put the City team on a three-goal advantage at midpoint.
Valletta extended their lead to 9-4 after winning the third session 3-1 with Koralija netting more goals.
Peter Kovacs, for the losers, was dismissed on three fouls towards the end of the third quarter. That made it easier for Valletta to seal their win and book their place in the final against Marsascala.
Summaries
Exiles 8
Neptunes 16
(2-3, 0-4, 3-6, 3-3)
Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo, D. Pace Lupi 2, M. Magri, A. Radovic 3, J. Spiteri Staines, V. Cupic, K. Grixti 1, P. Borg 2, S. Galea Pace, D. Borg, K. Lanzon.
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 2, T. Agius, A. Ciric, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 2, G. Pace, S. Gravina 1, K. Debattista, T. Molnar 4, C. Mercieca.
Refs: M. Angilleri, L. Castagnola.
Valletta 13
Marsaxlokk 6
(1-2, 5-1, 3-1, 4-2)
Valletta: R. Sciortino, S. Meli, R. Calleja, M. Koralija 7, N. Bonello Ghio, S. Cachia 1, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit, C. Debono 2, R. Scerri, A. Arrigo, D. Filipovic 2, J.C. Farrugia.
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, L. Frig-gieri, M. Agius, E. Meli, K. Grech, K. Mock 1, A. Galea, C. Bugeja 1, R. Kovacs 3, P. Kovacs, T. Camilleri 1, J. Fenech, G. Zammit.
Refs: M. Dalli, R. Spiteri.
ASA Under-17 5
Otters 14
(0-7, 2-0, 1-7, 2-0)
ASA U-17: J. Navarro, M. Lanzon 2, A. Galea, A. Mifsud, M. Grech 1, B. Plum-pton 1, M. Fenech, G. Mizzi, J. Napier, M. Zammit 1, N. Paris, N. Bugelli.
Otters: N. Grixti, G. Attard, G. Zammit, A. Borg, P. Sciberras, A. Cachia, K. Scicluna, D. Schembri, A. Edward 2, S. Dimech, C. Martin, I. Vuksanovic 8, K. Grima Scott 2.
Refs: P. Balzan, S. Talino.
Next fixtures
Tuesday: 18.00 Marsxlokk vs Marsa-scala. 19.15 Exiles vs Sliema.
Wednesday: 18.00 Valletta vs Otters. 19.15 Neptunes vs Sirens.