League : Sliema 9 Neptunes 9

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

Extra Time to Decide President's Cup : 3-3 (1-1, 2-2)

Sliema win 4-3 on Penalties

The first Sliema–Neptunes league duel of the summer ended all square on 9-9, with the blues levelling the score in the final split-seconds of the game. Thus, Sliema and Neptunes remain at the top of the table, each on 11 points.

The reds from Balluta Bay entered the arena on top form, having shown all their ammunition in the games prior to this derby, and opened a 3 goal lead in the first session. They managed to maintain a 2 to 3 goal margin throughout the match although Sliema, helped by the backing of numerous fans in blue, kept reducing the lead to ensure they stayed in the game.

It was a tight affair, with a number of expulsions on both sides. Sliema needed a huge collective effort at the rear guard, as each and every player gave his all in defence, in front of goalkeeper Ryan, who had a good game.

It all came down to the final session with Neptunes leading 8-6 at the start, and 9-7 with a few minutes to go. The eighth man kept on lifting the team, even if the clock kept ticking down. Our fears were all but confirmed, as Neptunes won possession with little more than 30 seconds to go, and the score reading 9-8 in their favour. Step up the blue heart, Sliema winning possession with 2 seconds to go, and Kunac netting the equaliser right on the buzzer.

That is where it ended as far as league points were concerned, however the game went into extra-time as the clash also counted for the President's Cup. 6 goals were shared in the two periods of 3 minutes each, this time with Neptunes levelling matters in the dying seconds.

The game went on to penalties, with Sliema emerging victorious 4-3, as Ryan topped up a good performance with two penalty saves. Sliema captain, Clint Debono, lifted the cup for the Ghar id-Dud side, to the sound of vuvuzelas.

The road is long...Let's do it boys.

Formation

Ryan

Jerome

Lubrano

Pawlu (1)

Meli (1 in extra time)

Soler (2)

Daniel (1)

Brownrigg

Clint

Kunac (2)

Rizzo

Rath (3) (& another 2 in extra time)

Alex