Cousin gives Exiles a dramatic win in style

EXILES JETFREIGHT SIRENS GREENTUBE (1-2), (3-3), (1-2), (4-1) 9 8

Exiles Jetfreight claimed a precious win early in the season, as they defeated Sirens Greentube 98 in a balanced affair as the result could have gone either way. Despite this fact, this result gave credit to the perseverance of Exiles who except the first minutes, they were never in front.

After their fine campaign in the Winter League, Sirens seems to be the most disappointing team so far. Generally, there was an improvement in their performance, but they couldn’t control the game especially when they were conceding the comeback by Exiles.

This loss leaves Marco Baldinetti’s team with two defeats an already an uphill battle to finish second in the first phase.

Sirens had to respond to an early goal by Michele Stellini to win the first session 2-1. Cristiano Mirarchi and Clint Mercieca scored for Baldinetti’s team. Exiles had to show fighting spirit to come back in the game after Mirarchi and youngster Marc Grech gave a three-goal lead to Sirens.

Marco Cuk’s team reacted and scored three times from a brace by Andrea Bianchi and a goal by captain Aurelien Cousin to finish the session with a one-goal disadvantage, after Mirarchi had done the partial score 5-3.

Sirens stayed one step ahead of their opponents in the third session, after two goals that cancelled the equaliser by Timmy Sullivan.

The goal by Serbian Slobodan Nikic ensured a thrilling end to a balanced affair. Youngster Jacob Sciberras scored a typical goal from the left side to restore the two-goal cushion, but Exiles again fought back and equalised from Nikic and the left-hander Michele Stellini.

The winning goal was scored ten seconds from the end from captain Aurelien Cousin who managed to beat Nicky Grixti with a low drive.

M. Castillo, M. Fenech, A. Bianchi (2), M. Stellini (2), T. Sullivan (1), S. Xerri de Caro, S. Nikic (2), K. Griscti, N. Paris, A. Cousin (2), B. Lanzon, P. Paris, G. Ciappara

N. Grixti, C. Mirarchi (4), E. Aquilina (1), P. Privitera, M. Grech (1), I. Riolo, C. Mercieca (1), J. Sciberras (1), J. Napier, J. Ciantar, L. Caruana, J. Brownrigg, O. Gauci

Mario Dalli, Riccardo D’Antoni

OTTERS NIVEA TA’ XBIEX AMIGOS (1-4), (3-3), (1-2), (3-5) 8 14

Otters: K. Schembri, A. Magri, A. Camenzuli, L. Felice, K. Scicluna (1), C. Bugeja (1), G. Mizzi, S. Dimech, M. Gor-Nagy, E. Gravina (1), M. Sciberras (3), D. Zahra (2), M. Xerri

M. Vassallo, R. Greco, M. Manara, L. Hyzler (1), B. Cachia (3), K. Mock (1), G. Blundell, N. Dedovic (4), L. Galea (1), G. Sammut (2), K. Tanti, N. Saliba (2), L. Pace

Alex De Raffaele, Stefano Scappini