The Malta Independent on Sunday
Sliema knock‐out Neptunes to keep double hopes alive
NEPTUNES VIDEOSLOTS .... 11 SLIEMA FRANK SALT .......... 16 (3‑4), (3‑7), (4‑3), (1‑2)
On Wednesday they had con‐ trol of the game and suffered the late comeback by Neptunes Videoslots and lost the game on penalties in quite a controversial decision. This time, Sliema Frank Salt were determined not to let the game slip away from their hands as they conquered the de‐ ciding game to stage a play‐off final against champions San Ġiljan JP Projects.
This game is not only a repeat of the knock‐out final, but it is an opportunity for Sliema to claim a much‐needed double that is missing from Sliema pitch 15 years. On the other side, this de‐ feat ends a disappointing cam‐ paign for Neptunes full of ups and downs. Probably one of the few positives for Neptunes is the evergreen Stevie Camilleri who still shows up consistently dur‐ ing games.
Neptunes got off to a flying start as they took a 2‐0 lead with two goals from youngsters Jake Muscat and Sam Gialanze in the first two minutes. Sliema recov‐ ered quickly and not equalised but gained a two‐goal advantage themselves until Muscat pulled one back in the last minute of the first session.
Sliema upped their game and took control of the encounter in the second session. Italian Gia‐ como Cannella shined as he scored a hat‐trick alongside Dino Zammit to give Sliema an 8‐3 lead midway through the second session. Although Neptunes were shocked, they tried to react, but Sliema were concentrated enough to stay with what seemed a healthy five‐goal lead.
Aleksander Ciric’s words at the break seemed to have inspired his team as Neptunes started fir‐ ing on all cylinders and reduced the gap to 11‐9 during the first half of the third session. Mark Castillo from man‐up, Jake Mus‐ cat and a penalty by captain Ste‐ vie Camilleri gave Neptunes a lifeline. They also had another man‐up in which Ciric called a time‐out, but they couldn’t con‐ vert the action into a goal.
Sliema realised that at that mo‐ ment it seemed like déjà vu from last Wednesday. The only differ‐ ence was that this time they were quick enough to react as Cannella scored twice in less than a minute and Zammit’s goal, restored the five‐goal lead they had at the end of the previous session.
Stevie Camilleri from man‐up at the end of the third session and Jordan Camilleri’s goal in the last session gave Neptunes a slim hope of staging a difficult come‐ back, but Andreas Galea’s goal sealed the win for Sliema with half a session to go. Benji Cachia rounded off the win late in the game.
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, D. Kholod (1), S. Gialanze (1), G. Pace, J. Camilleri (1), L. Mallia, S. Camilleri (2), M. Castillo (2), J. Muscat (4), J. Bajada, A. Fenech, E. Mallia, M. Rossi, D. Bugeja
Sliema: N. Grixti, E. Schembri (1), L. Galea (1), J. Gambin, G. Cannella (7), B. Cachia (2), J. Cu‐ tajar, D. Rizzo, J. Brownrigg, A. Galea (2), Z. Mizzi, D. Zammit (3), M. Castillo, J. Cassar
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Luca Bianco
Upcoming Games
1st Division – Play‑Off 1 Marsaxlokk vs Exiles 6.15pm
Premier Division – Play‑off 1 San Ġiljan vs Sliema 7.30pm