Sliema take sweet revenge over Sirens

SIRENS 13

SLIEMA 19

(5-5, 0-3, 4-6, 4-5)

Sliema exacted sweet revenge on Sirens for their recent President’s Cup defeat, producing a dominant performance to secure an emphatic victory, and they have finally shown some signs of their resurgence under coach Marc Prat.

Fresh from last week’s win over Valletta, the Blues are beginning to show the consistency that had been missing earlier in the season.

While the opening session was a tightly contested affair, Sliema took complete control in the second period and never looked back, suffocating every Sirens attempt at a comeback.

It was a complete team display, but Elijah Schembri and Alberto Barroso were the standout performers. The pair combined for nine goals, with Schembri leading the charge through a brilliant five-goal haul.

Sirens made the brighter start, with skipper Jerome Zerafa Gregory opening the scoring. Jake Cachia levelled matters, but Sirens continued to edge in front through Daniel Angyal, Gianni Farrugia and Isaiah Riolo, opening a two-goal advantage.

Sliema responded in style as Schembri struck twice in quick succession to restore parity.

Although Matthew Sciberras briefly restored Sirens’ lead, Schembri completed his hat-trick before the end of the opening session to leave the match finely balanced.

The turning point came in the second period. Dino Zammit put Sliema ahead for the first time before Schembri added his fourth goal. Barroso also found the target as the Blues outscored their opponents to establish an 8-5 lead at half-time.

Sliema maintained complete control after the break. Benji Cachia extended the advantage before Jayden Cutajar, playing with a protective face mask, added another.

Every time Sirens threatened through Angyal or Farrugia, Sliema had the perfect response, with Barroso converting from the penalty spot and Cachia completing his hat-trick.

Coach Marc Prat’s timeout midway through the third session proved decisive. Cachia scored immediately afterwards before Cutajar set up Schembri for another goal as Sliema stretched their lead to five and effectively ended the contest.

Sirens attempted one final push in the closing period, with Angyal netting his fifth goal and Farrugia completing his hat-trick. However, a controversial penalty converted by Barroso halted any hopes of a comeback.

Tempers flared as Sirens protested a referee decision, leading to Farrugia’s exclusion with a substitution and the dismissal of coach Ranko Perovic.

Liam Galea and Cutajar added further goals for the Blues, while goalkeeper Benji Busuttil produced several outstanding saves, including a spectacular one-handed stop to deny Zerafa Gregory.

Although Zach Mizzi and former Sliema player Andreas Galea found the net late on for Sirens, the outcome was never in doubt.

The convincing victory confirms Sliema’s excellent recent form and suggests Marc Prat’s side are developing into genuine contenders as they continue to build momentum.

SIRENS: N. Grixti, D. Angyal 5, A. Galea 1, G. Pace, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, K. Agius, M. Ortoleva, I Riolo, P. Serracino, M. Scriberras 1, Z. Mizzi 2, G. Farrugia 3, A. Theuma, M. Mifsud, A. Dimech.

SLIEMA: B. Busuttil, A. Barroso 4, L. Galea 2, J. Gambin , J. Cassar , B. Cachia 3, J. Cutajar 2, D. Rizzo , E. Schembri 5, J. Cachia 1 , J. Chircop , D. Zammit 2 , Z. Dzanovic, M. Bonello Dupius, S. Busuttil, S. Engerer .

Referees: A. Bura, S. Licari.