A third Premier Division match in almost a week ended in controversy as protests marked another pulsating clash between old sporting rivals Neptunes Grimaldi and Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate who shared 20 goals, yesterday.
The episode leading to the protests started when Niki Lanzon, of Neptunes, had a goal disallowed 105 seconds from time after the referees had seemingly convalidated the point.
At that moment, though, the referees’ attention was drawn, presumably by the table officials, that there was an infringement and after the two Italian referees consulted each other, Sliema were awarded a free-throw near their goal.
More excitement was to follow as the Blues failed to capitalise twice in succession on two extra-man sets, their sixth on nine after they had converted two penalty throws. This was in contrast to Neptunes’ three on seven reading.
The Reds were never in arrears and almost midway through the match they twice led by three goals on 5-2 and 6-3, with Peter Biros leading his team’s scorers’ list with three goals followed by the returning Steve Camilleri and Tamas Molnar who struck a brace each.
However, the Blues summoned their typical recuperative powers to inch their way back into the reckoning primarily through Antonio Petkovic (three goals), Ivan Basara and John Soler who shared four goals.
It had been intriguing all the way with the champions eventually taking a two-goal advantage in the last session before Sliema levelled matters on 10-10 four minutes from the end.
Excitement reached a climax as possession was shifted time and again through attacker fouls. However, the culmination was the disallowed goal episode almost at the death followed by the protests.
The result means that Neptunes maintained their five-point advantage over Sliema.
San Ġiljan are also five points adrift but with a match less.
Meanwhile, Marsascala Mor€ moved three points clear at the top of the First Division table, albeit with a game in hand, after defeating Marsaxlokk 11-9.
The winners were always in control thanks to five-goal Sergi Mora, but their opponents fought grimly only to trim a deficit of five goals and make it a tighter scoreline.
Summaries
Marsascala 11
Marsaxlokk 9
(3-0, 1-1, 4-4, 3-4)
Marsascala: D. Spiteri, J.C. Cutajar 1, S. Mora 5, C. Bonello, E. Meli, L. Grixti 1, K. Rizzo Naudi, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef, M. Pace 2, D. Cassar, G. Marnitz 1, J. Cremona.
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, A. Agius 1, B. Fulope 1, A. Galea 1, G. Busuttil, C. Bugeja 3, M. Fenech, S. Xerri De Caro, A. Mifsud 1, O. Frick 2, A. Arrigo, D. Borg Millo, M. Scerri.
Referees: S. Licari, A. De Raffaele.
Neptunes 10
Sliema 10
(3-1, 3-4, 2-2, 2-3)
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, M. Lanzon, M. Stellini 2, T. Agius, G. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri, A. Zarb Cousin, P. Biros 3, B. Muscat, T. Molnar 2, C. Mercieca.
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 1, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 2, J. Borg 1, C. Cluett, J. Brownrigg, A. Attard, I. Basara 2, A. Petkovic 3, K. Schembri.
Referees: S. Scappini, A. Pascucci.
ASA halts all competitions
The ASA of Malta has decided to suspend all competitions until an urgent council meeting convened for next Tuesday following the mayhem that erupted at the end of yesterday’s derby between Sliema and Neptunes.
In a terse statement, issued by general secretary Marco Manara late last night, the ASA said:
“In the light of the consistent incidents experienced this season the ASA Executive has decided that at this moment in time all championships shall be immediately suspended.
“This applies to all national competitions, age-group competitions and also the women’s championship.
“The continuation of competitions will now be the main item on the agenda at next Tuesday’s urgent council meeting.”
That means today’s programme of three matches – Otters vs Ta’ Xbiex, Sirens vs Exiles and Valletta vs San Ġiljan – are all postponed.