The moment has at last arrived for San Ġiljan Crystal Finance!

After two decades they have struck success in the shape of the BOV knock-out when defeating Neptunes Grimaldi by the odd goal in a 25-goal thriller that left all those present at the National Pool with hearts in their mouths.

The drama unfolded mostly in the last session and reached a climax in the final moments when Guillermo Mollina netted the winner and his fifth goal almost on the cusp of time.

The numerous Saints fans who filled the main stand to the rafters went delirious with joy.

Indeed, they could not contain their elation as their players embraced one another after their eighth knock-out success in their history.

Despite the massive contribution of the great Spaniard, one of the top quality players in the European circuit, it was also a great team effort conducted admirably and with great tactical nous from the bench by coach Marko Orlovic.

Undoubtedly, it was the most combative match of the season, with the teams locked in endless battle as they opted for stringent all-pitch press.

First Division league champions Marsascala celebrate.

Neptunes might claim that they were hard done by when they suffered a couple of goals after wicked deflections. But they should be the first to admit that their opponents had reserves of knowhow and conducted the game with panache.

San Giljan had a flying three-goal start and looked supremely confident with their players indulging in effective movement.

However, the Reds came back, equalising every time the Saints went a goal in front. Peter Borg had inflicted the initial damage but all his colleagues responded to Molina’s clarion call.

Steve Camilleri woke up to his responsibilities after Peter Biros and Niki Lanzon had given their team an initial charge. It was tit for tat after the Saints had taken a momentary 7-5 lead by midpoint.

The Reds went twice in front in the last quarter but they could not stop their opponents’ momentum even after they scored a late equaliser to make it 12-12. Then Molina had the last say to give his team a precious victory.

After the match BOV Chief Officer Anthony Scicluna presented the cup to San Ġiljan captain Matthew Zammit who himself had scored two crucial goals as did the great-hearted Paul Fava.

In the decider to determine the destination of the First Division title and the right to meet Exiles in the promotion/relegation best-out-of-three play-offs, Marsascala Nutrition Empire retained the cham-pionship crown when they beat Marsaxlokk Fischer 17-14.

It had appeared easy for the winners after they led by six goals until midway. But Marsaxlokk recovered to make a contest out of it as they twice came within a goal of equalising in the last session.

However, a final surge by Pierre Borg’s team sealed the match in their favour. Their scoring protagonists were Matyas Pasztor and Bela Torok who scored six and four goals respectively.

Marsaxlokk responded with six strikes from Ivan Vuksanovic and three from Milos Korolija.

Neptunes 12
San Ġiljan 13

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

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, M. Castillo, M. Stellini 2, T. Agius, I. Krapic, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, P. Biros 2, B. Lanzon, S. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca 1.

San Ġiljan: J. Sammut, P. Borg 2, A. Galea, B. Vapenski 1, G. Molina 5, M. Zammit 2, K. Galea, Darren Zammit, B. Plumpton, A. Cousin 1, P. Fava 2, Dino Zammit, D. Spiteri.

Referees: M. Angileri, A. Petronilli.

Marsaxlokk 14
Marsascala 17

(3-5, 0-4, 7-5, 4-3)

Marsaxlokk Fischer: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri De Barro 1, M. Korolija 3, A. Galea, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja, I. Vuksanovic 6, R. Scerri 1, M. Lanzon 2, J. Xerri de Caro, J. Cremona.

Marsascala Nutrition Empire: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar 2, B. Muscat, C. Bonello, B. Torok 4, L. Grixti 2, K. Navarro, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef 2, M. Pasztor 6, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, M. Pace.

Referees: P. Balzan, I. Castagnola.