Long-standing rivals Neptunes and Sliema will contest the Winter League final after edging out their opponents in similar fashion following two hard-fought semi-finals, yesterday.

A balanced first session, marked by tight marking, ended with four goals being shared as San Ġiljan twice gave up the lead against Neptunes.

The second session remained goalless with Saints’ keeper Dean Camilleri pulling off a string of fine saves to deny his former club.

San Ġiljan surged to the fore as they bossed the third session, winning it 2-1 for a 4-3 advantage with Andrea Bianchi hitting a third goal and Paul Fava another conversion to stun the Reds.

But Neptunes regrouped in the final session and netted three times without reply. A feature of this session was Clint Mercieca’s diagonal flick that sailed into the net to give Neptunes the lead before Michele Stellini rounded off the score with two goals.

In the other semi-final, Exiles were off to a better start, taking a 2-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter thanks to goals from Timmy Sullivan and James Spiteri Staines.

Another arid second quarter had Sliema and Exiles sharing just two goals as both teams looked edgy and efforts on goal snuffed out before being ignited.

Paul Privitera levelled matters early in the session before Exiles went in front once more through Kayne Lanzon.

Alan Borg Cole in goal inspired Exiles in the third session with some excellent saves including a John Soler penalty. That proved costly for the Blues as Exiles drew level before taking a 5-4 lead with goals from Sullivan and Simon Vassallo.

Lanzon made it 6-4 but Privitera completed his hat-trick soon after and Mark Meli hit home the equaliser for a tense finale.

With only eight seconds to go and extra-time looming, up came Nikolai Lubrano who turned well to beat Borg Cole with a blistering shot for Sliema’s winner.

Meanwhile, Sirens beat Marsa-scala 14-6 in a match for fifth place.

Joe Caruana Dingli’s team established their superiority with a 6-2 lead before ends were changed.

David Cutajar played the early tune with well-taken goals as Jurgen Borg chipped in with a hat-trick.

Summaries

Neptunes 6
San Ġiljan 4
(2-2, 0-0, 1-2, 3-0)

Neptunes: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 1, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 2, Z. Mizzi 1, G. Pace, J. Camilleri, K. Debattista, B. Lanzon, S. Gravina, T. Agius, S. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca 1.

San Ġiljan: D. Camilleri, J.C. Cutajar, A. Galea, Karl Galea, Keith Galea, A. Bugeja, A. Bianchi 3, R. Mock, B. Pumpton, C. Gialanze, P. Fava 1, C. Martin, M. Pisani.

Referees: M. Angilleri, P. Balzan.

Sliema 7
Exiles 6
(1-2, 1-1, 2-2, 3-1)

Sliema: R. Coleiro, N. Lubrano 1, P. Privitera 3, M. Meli 1, J. Soler, D. Paollella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono, M. Cordina, C. Cluett, M. Rizzo 1, M. Spiteri Staines, Z. Sciberras.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 2, P. Paris, J. Spiteri Staines 1, K. Grixti, D. Borg, P. Borg, S. Vassallo 1, M. Paris, K. Lanzon 2.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Angilleri.

Sirens 14
Marsascala 6
(2-2, 4-2, 4-0, 4-2)

Sirens: A. Grech, A. Attard 1, V. Bartolo, I. Spiteri, T. Kusztos, A. Sammut, J. Borg 3, D. Cutajar 4, A. Zarb Cousin 3, C. Zammit 2, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, J. Sammut.

Marsascala: K. Schembri, M. Pace 1, K. Navarro 1, L. Griscti 1, J. Licari 2, C. Mifsud, S. Micallef, D. Cassar 1, M. Fenech.

Referees: P. Giordano, R. Spiteri.