The third league match between Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate and San Ġiljan Sir Alex produced yet another nerve-jangling duel which had the lead changing hands constantly until the game was resolved in the Saints’ favour with four-goal Karl Galea being the hero after netting the winner with three seconds left.

The Saints’ resolve to push towards another vital win to keep the pace with Neptunes Emirates was again evident yesterday as was their indomitable character and fighting stance.

Coach Sergio Afric, leading his team for the first time against former club Sliema, must have been proud of his lads.

Sliema had nothing to lose and they are to be commended for putting up brave resistance as the match unfolded. It was again a goal in extremis that accounted Sliema’s defeat at the hands of San Ġiljan.

After some unproductive exchanges, John Soler opened the score for Sliema only for the Saints to turn the tables late in the first quarter through goals from Peter Biros and Dino Zammit.

A penalty for the Saints, early in the second session, brought prolonged protests from the Sliema bench over the identity of the player committing the offence.

Biros converted to make it 3-1.

Gergely Kiss did likewise at the other end but Galea sneaked in a goal and the Saints led 4-2.

Damir Buric, Edward Aquilina and Kiss turned it round for 5-4 before Matthew Zammit resolved an extra-man set to level the scores at the long interval.

By this time, Matthew Zammit, Timmy Sullivan and Mark Meli were each hanging on two personal faults.

Another combative third session ended with San Ġiljan shading it 3-2 with the lead alternating as Biros, Marco Avramovic and Andrea Bianchi scored for the Saints, with Aquilina and Jerome Gabarretta replying for the Blues.

The fourth session was the climax as again the lead passed from one team to the other.

In the end, the salvo from Galea was greeted with delight by the numerous Saints supporters.

In the preceding match, second-placed Marsascala Mor€ made sure their position in the Division One standings is maintained after dismissing Ta’ Xbiex Amigos 13-9.

Marsascala led 4-2 after the first session. In the second quarter Ta’ Xbiex levelled only for the Southseasiders to regain their double goal advantage.

Pierre Borg’s team preserved their two-goal lead till the end of the third session after the teams shared eight goals.

Marsascala’s edge was re-warded in the last eight minutes which they won 3-1 for a final four-goal victory margin.

Summaries

Sliema 11
San Ġiljan 12

(1-2, 4-3, 2-3, 4-4)

Sliema: R. Coleiro, D. Buric 1, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli, J. Soler 4, G. Kiss 3, E. Aquilina 2, C. Cluett, J. Gabarretta 1, D. Paolella, M. Spiteri Staines, D. Abela.

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, C. Gialanze, K. Galea 4, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 1, M. Avra-movic 1, A. Bianchi 1, C. Spiteri de Barro, P. Biros 3, P. Fava, D. Zammit 2, J. Sammut.

Refs: A. DeRaffaele, G. Del Bosco.

Marsascala 13
Ta’ Xbiex 9

(4-2, 2-2, 4-4, 3-1)

Marsascala: K. Schembri, K. Rizzo Naudi, M. Pace 1, B. Muscat, J. Kayes 4, L. Grixti 2, D. Hegedius 2, J. Cremona 1, J. Licari 3, A. Sammut, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, L. Caruana.

Ta’ Xbiex: L. Borg, M. Spiteri, And. Galea 2, Ant. Galea 1, S. Cini, M. Asciak, K. Galea 2, M. Paris 2, P. Paris, P. Markoch 1, R. Attard, O. Zammit 1, Y. Szeles.

Refs: P. Balzan, R. Spiteri.

Next fixtures
Friday: 18.00 Ta’ Xbiex vs Otters. 19.15 San Ġiljan vs Sirens.
Saturday: 16.45 ASA Under-17 vs Marsaxlokk; 18.00 Valletta vs Marsascala. 19.15 Neptunes vs Sliema.

Premier League

Division One