Marsaxlokk rally to beat Ta’ Xbiex
A hotly-disputed goal netted on the stroke of time brought controversy but helped
San Ġiljan edge Sliema in an exiciting match played behind closed doors.
The Saints thus took sweet revenge for their defeat against the Blues in
the Emended Cup final and at the same time finish at the top of Group B.
The Saints’ tactical game and sharper driving instincts helped them win the
battle of giants and if Dorian Pisani’s side can maintain the same level of
determination and killer instinct shown yesterday they could really be prime
contenders for the title.
San Ġiljan punished an elementary error by Jamie Gambin who conceded a
penalty which was duly converted by Andreas Galea and were two goals up when
Matthias Ortoleva inflicted further damage on the sloppy Blues. Jerome
Gabarretta pulled a goal back for Sliema at the end of the first session.
The Blues could only show tentative efforts from a distance, with the
woodwork coming to San Ġiljan’s rescue twice when Jake Tanti looked beaten by
efforts from Nicholas Bugelli and Jacob Sciberras.
A quick counter-thrust left the Blues reeling when Dino Zammit restored his
side’s two-goal cushion. Liam Galea pulled a goal back before the session
ended.
Service to the respective centres had not been easy in the crowded
five-metre zones with Matthew Zammit and Dino Zammit swapping defensive duties
to close on Gabarretta.
But the Saints suffered a blow when Dino Zammit was red-carded for passing
repeated remarks. That gave Sliema some respite going in front for the first
time from a penalty by Mark Meli. Yet, it was six-all at the end of the third
session when youngster Marco Mannino scored a beauty to level matters.
Jake Galea effect two excellent blocks in quick succession to keep San
Ġiljan’s heads above water but could do nothing from Gabarretta’s shot.
A bold reaction by San Ġiljan earned them a lead of 8-7 through goals by
Ben Plumpton and Galea. Sciberras equalised for Sliema, before Matthew Zammit
made the decisive blow.
But there were doubts whether it was a valid goal with Sliema protesting that
Zammit was inside the two metres’ zone. Sergio Afric vented his protests
towards Massimo Angileri who allowed the goal.
Earlier, an edgy opening session
by Marsaxlokk, which coincided with Ta’ Xbiex’s encouraging take-off, was
turned around by the southseasiders in the second quarter and consolidated in
the subsequent sessions for a comprehensive 8 – 5 win.
Ta’ Xbiex’s early spark deserted
them and when Marsaxlokk had the oil running in their engines, the writing was
on the wall for the minnows. The goals kept coming at regular intervals, with
Matteo Martellacci leading his side’s scorers list with a poker.
TA’ XBIEX 5
MARSAXLOKK 8
(2-2, 0-2, 0-2, 3-2)
Ta’ Xbiex: M. Vassallo, M. Mifsud, R. Greco, D. Rizzo, F. Cutajar, M. De Marco, M. Carani 2, N. Saliba, K. Borg, G. Sammut 1, N. Schiavone 1, S. Azzopardi, M. Farrugia, J. Saliba 1.
Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, M. Martellacci 5, M. Pace, T. Agius 1, L. Saliba 1, J. Galea, K. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, M. Cacici 1, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar.
Refs: Stefan Licari, Giuliana Nicolosi.
SLIEMA 8
SAN ĠILJAN 9
(1-2, 1-1, 4-3, 2-3)
Sliema: N. Grixti, J. Gabarretta 2, L. Galea 1, J. Sciberras 2, M. Meli 1, B.Cachia 1, M. Spiteri Staines, J. Cutajar, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli, A. Teuma.
San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, K. Tanti, A. Galea 2, D. Ciantar, M. Mannino 1, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton 1, J. Bonavia, Z. Micallef, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 1, G. Vassallo, M. Ortoleva 1.
Refs: Massimo Angileri, Stefano Pinato.
