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Saints save blushes in final second |
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Published: 29/07/2010 |
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San Giljan were ambling along, seemingly without any concern, against a dispirited Exiles outfit, a different proposition from the side who beat the Saints in the first round of play. After three sessions San Giljan held a five goal cushioning lead, but they they were completely surprised by an Exiles transformation in the last quarter. Exiles made up the difference, to draw level, with little time left on the clock. Exiles even held the game's last possession, but they foolishly gave the ball away, and Marton Toth sped forward to crash in the Saints' winning goal, via a post, and give his side both points.
There were not so many man ups, but both teams failed to score in either two occasions for the two sides. The game was controlled by two local officials, in agreement with all the teams taking part in the top division, when there are midweek games to be played.
San Giljan began on a top note, and goals by Paul Fava, Edward Aquilina, Karl Galea and Christian Gialanze, gave them a good lead, with Exiles only reply coming from Aurelien Cousin. The Saints were still going on in the second session, opening up a better advantage, with more goals from Claudio Spiteri de Barro, and a brace from Andrea Bianchi. Exiles lost a penalty throw, with Dean camilleri saving off cousin, and with Cosmin Banca obtaining a second strike. At the interval San Giljan were on a solid 7-2 lead.
Honours were even in the third period, with two Saints' goals, by Marton Toth and Heiko Nossek, and a reply each time, from Exiles' Timmy Sullivan and Cousin, for a 9-4 Saints' advantage. Exiles then started their remarkable comeback, as Cousin put in two goals followed by Sullivan and Bonca, in a four goal spree. Exiles were just a goal behind, when Spiteri de Barro gave San Giljan a two goal lead. Exiles were back again, and Bonca and Sullivan pulled their side level, with time running out. With seconds remaining Exiles had the ball, but a misdirected pass had Toth gaining possession, and he swam half the pitch, before pulling up to flash in the winning goal, with just a second to spare. The Saints were ecstatic, and Exiles must be bitterly disappointed to have come out of the game empty handed, after such a fight back.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro 2, M. Pace, K. Galea 1, C. Gialanze 1, K. Dowling, H. Nossek 1, A. Bianchi 2, E. Aquilina 1, R. Scerri, P. Fava 1, M. Toth 2, K. Schembri
Exiles: A. Borg Cole, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo, C. Bonca 3, T. Sullivan 3, M. Calleja, J. Paris, M. Paris, A. Zarb Cousin, A. Cousin 4, A. Cachia, S. Cini, K. Lanzon
Referees: A. De Raffaele, I. Sciriha
Sliema McDonalds 18
Sirens Ritter Sports 11
(6-1)(4-2)(3-4)(5-4)
Sliema had beaten Sirens by a single goal in the first round, but this time they had already made sure of the result by the interval. The goals then began to be shared by both teams after the break, but the champions always held enough of an advantage throughout the rest of the match. Sirens were hit hard, from the start of the game, and John Soler and Mark Meli were scoring to their hearts' content, as the champions pulled away by the interval.
Alex Bianchi was in goal for Sliema, instead of the usual Ryan Coleiro. and Sirens had Jurgen Borg missing, with Karl Montfort making a rare appearance, being on the island.
Man-ups were not a determining factor in this match, with Sliema scoring twice from their four extra player occasions. Sirens had an extra expulsion but also converted two of them. This was Sliema's third win over Sirens, along with their Winter league victory.
The champions were first off the blocks, with an early John Soler strike. Tamas Varga put Sirens level, but Sliema proceeded to carve open their opponents' rearguard, as John Brownrigg, Clint Debono, Soler, and Mark Meli, twice, had their side on a steady course. Sirens were still on the receiving end, in the second session, As Soler and Meli grabbed two more goals each, late in the period, Sirens could get back on the goal trail with Clint Mercieca and Alex Attard goals. At the interval Sliema were on a hefty 10-3 advantage.
The champions' tight hold on the match began to ease off in the third session, and Sirens had long range efforts going in, with Jugo Vasovic, Mercieca, Karl Montfort and Varga improving their teams' taly. Sliema also had Bogdan Rath, and a couple of Jerome Gabarretta goals, to hold on to a 13-7 lead, with a session to go. Soler increased his personal score, with two more goals, but Sirens were more adventurous, as Varga, Attard and two more Vasovic goals gave them a more respectable score.
Sliema then took over once more, as Aljosa Kunac Meli and Debono finished off the game with a three goal spread.
Sliema: A. Bianchi, J. Gabarretta 2, N. Lubrano, P. Privitera, M. Meli 5, J. Soler 6, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg 1, C. Debono 2, A. Kunac 1, M. Rizzo, B. Rath 1, R. Coleiro
Sirens: J. Sammut, A. Attard 2, C. Mercieca 2, P. Borg, J. Spiteri Staines, R. Mock, T. Varga 3, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort 1, C. Zammit, J. Vasovic 3, D. Zammit, E. Arrigo
Referees: P. Balzan, M. Angileri
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