San Giljan and Sliema claim routine wins

SAN GILJAN INVEST ..... 11 EXILES J-FREIGHT ......... 3 (5-0), (1-3), (4-0), (1-0)

San Ġiljan Tum Invest kept marching towards their second consecutive Winter league, as they found no difficulty emerging victorious against a looked demoralised Exiles Jetfreight.

Orlovic’s team dictated play without any pressure and the win could have been bigger if they took all their occasions towards goal. A positive debut from youngster Thomas Micallef as he started his first game with the senior team substituting Jake Tanti.

Five goals in the first session paved the way for San Ġiljan as it gave the power to control the game from the beginning. Exiles tried to bounce back as they reduced the deficit in the second session to three goals, but even if not on their best form, the quality of San Ġiljan as individuals was too much, considering also the rhythm of the match. They scored four goals with no reply to put the game beyond doubt. Darren Zammit scored the only goal in the last session to wrap up a deserved 11-3 victory.

San Ġiljan: T. Micallef, P. Borg, A. Galea (3), B. Grech, Da. Zammit (1), M. Zammit (3), B. Plumpton (1), J. Galea, T. Said, A. Cousin (1), P. Fava, Di. Zammit (2)

Exiles: S. Galea Pace, J. Rizzo Naudi, J. Bajada, M. Stellini (1), A. Magri, S. Xerri de Caro, D. Borg Millo, K. Griscti (1), N. Paris (1), A. Bianchi, C. Von Brockdorf, L. Felice, M. Castillo

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimo Angileri

SLIEMA BETSSON ......... 8 VALLETTA MCDON ........ 4 (1-1), (3-0), (1-2), (3-1)

Two goals early in the last session, secured Sliema Betsson’s third win of the league, as they defeated Valletta McDonalds 8-4.

Both teams looked prepared not to conceive anything and in fact the first session finished in a draw as after Jerome Gabarretta opened the score, James Spiteri Staines equalised with a powerful shot. Sliema increased their level in the second eight minutes and caught their opponents with three goals with no reply, as Valletta looked too slow to create a reaction.

But Stephen Rizzo’s team reacted after the break and scored twice in the beginning of the third session to open up the game, but the second goal of the game by centre Gabarretta, made sure that the Blues remain with a two-goal cuschion. Sliema managed to secure the win in the beginning of the last session with goals from Alex Attard, Zach Mizzi and Nicholas Bugelli.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta (2), E. Aquilina, C. Cluett, M. Meli, K. Dowling (1), M. Spiteri Staines, B. Cachia, R. Greco, A. Attard (1), Z. Mizzi (3), N. Bugelli (1), Z. Sciberras

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines (1), A. Agius, M. Rizzo (1), M. Fenech, R. Mock, D. Paolella, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina (1), D. Fenech, K. Galea (1), O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefan Licari