San Ġiljan inflict a first defeat on Neptunes to force Enemed Cup decider

NEPTUNES 8

SAN ĠILJAN 11

(1-3, 3-1, 2-5, 2-3)

San Ġiljan succeeded to wrest the Enemed Cup title from Neptunes to remain in contention and in the process, inflict a first defeat on their rivals.

Neptunes will surely lament the absence of their influential duo – Jordan Camilleri and Steven Camilleri.

But it is to the Saints’ credit that in a must-win scenario, they fully exploited their opponents’ handicap, especially in the third session during which a five-goal blitz tore the team from Sliema to shreds.

The two teams will meet again in today’s title decider.

A 3-1 cushion obtained in the opening session and boosted by Matthew Zammit’s brace opened for the Saints’ steamrolling victory. He provided his team with the scoring power as he eventually took up his tally to four goals.

Yet, the Saints’ early dominance fizzled out completely after Jake Muscat had started his goal trail late in the first session. Eventually, Muscat completed his hat-trick to even matters on 4-4 before the change of ends.

But there was no question about San Ġiljan’s edge and their quality emerged at the crucial moments when they started to score again.

Finally, and midway through the third session, San Ġiljan scored three times without reply after which they cruised home despite the efforts of Neptunes.

At this juncture, Andreas Galea distinguished himself with a naphand of goals.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, J. Muscat 4, L. Calleja, G. Pace, S. Busuttil, J. Spiteri Staines, R. Galea, M. Castillo, J. Abela 1, M. Spiteri Staines 1, A Fenech, S. Gialanze 2, A. Bugeja, J. Cachia, M. Zammit.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Zahra 2, A. Galea 4, D. Fero, R. Caruana, M. Zammit 4, M. Ortoleva, J. Bonavia, B. Plumpton, Darren Zammit, K. Galea, Dino Zammit 1, G. Vassallo,

Refs: M. Angilleri, R. Spiteri