Playing a diligent tactical game, Neptunes Grimaldi summoned their steam in the latter sessions to turn the result around when defeating San Ġiljan All Care 9-8.

The Reds may not have a long squad of experienced players despite their tradition of grooming promising youngsters who often win junior leagues.

However, Neptunes’ resilience saw them through against neighbours who must have fancied their chances of consolidating their lead after this first three-team play-off.

More so when Neptunes had influential goal-stopper, Alan Borg Cole, missing. He was replaced by Matthew Castillo, who but for one error, played safely in front of some efficient zone cover.

Apart from an excellent hat-trick from Timmy Agius and sterling work from the established Niki Lanzon, Jordan Camilleri, Michele Stellini and Clint Mercieca, the lower order players all performed well as the Saints fumbled their possession time and again despite including Aurelien Cousin (he had played and coached Exiles) who has obtained Maltese citizenship.

Substitute coach, Mario Zammit, replacing the absent Emile Nikolic, must have been disappointed by the Saints’ inept showing after they took a two-goal lead no fewer than five times. Still the team lives to fight another day.

On the other hand, Dorian Pisani made judicious use of his bench, while new coach Zoran Mustur watched from the stands after giving his players a pep talk before the match.

In the opening match, valid for the lower division, Marsascala Nutrition Empire defeated the inexperienced Otters Nivea 14-7 to share top spot with Marsaxlokk who have today’s game against Ta’ Xbiex in hand.

The southerners’ clear edge had nine of their players inserting their name in the scorers’ list, their chief striker being Stephen Micallef with a hat-trick.

Otters 7
Marsascala 14

(0-4, 2-4, 2-4, 3-2)

Otters: R. Bonnici, A. Cachia, A. Camenzuli 3, A. Azzopardi, E. Pace Bonello 1, A. Borg, N. Camenzuli, M. Borg Millo 1, M. Dimech 1, D. Borg Millo 1, C. Martin, J. Galea, P. Theuma.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, F. Borg, M. Pace 1, C. Bonello 1, J.C. Cutajar 1, L. Grixti 2, J. Busuttil 1, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef 3, K. Navarro, D. Cassar 2, C. Mifsud 2, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: R. Spiteri, R. Magri.

Neptunes 9
San Ġiljan 8

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

Neptunes: M. Castillo, N. Lanzon 2, M. Lanzon, M. Stellini 2, T. Agius 3, S. Xerri de Caro, G. Mizzi, J. Camilleri 1, L. Gialanze, M. Zammit, B. Lanzon, B. Muscat, C. Mercieca 1.

San Ġiljan: J. Sammut, P. Borg 2, A. Galea, K. Galea, K. Dowling 1, M. Zammit 3, Darren Zammit, B. Grech, B. Plumpton, A. Cousin 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 1, D. Spiteri.

Referees: M. Dalli, M. Angileri.

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