Valletta McDonalds 10 San Giljan Allcare 14
(4-5, 0-2, 3-3, 3-4)
San Giljan did not let the occasion pass by as they overcame the Valletta hurdle to go within two points of the champions, and make the top end of the table a closer one.
Valletta were more competitive at the start, but they began to fall behind from the second period onwards, with the Saints able to keep control of the match till the end. San Giljan were without Karl Galea, his place taken by the young Ben Plumpton. All in all Valletta’s Milos Korolija was held in a tight grip by the Saints’ defence, whilst San Giljan had young Kai Dowling playing his best match this season, and he was a continuous thorn to the City rearguard.
Valletta replied three times to the first San Giljan goals, as Djorde Filipovic opened their account with a penalty. Then City scored twice, to grab their only lead in the match, but the Saints responded with two goals of their own before the end of the session. In the next period Valletta were guilty of wasting three man ups, and they paid the price, as San Giljan struck twice more, to arrive at the interval resting on a 7-4 advantage.
After the break San Giljan began to open up their lead, going into a maximum 10-5 advantage. but the Citizens were able to recoup with a brace of goals, although the Saints could go into the last quarter on a 10-7 lead. Both sides were able to increase their goal tally, but Valletta were only able to answer back to the Saints’ strikes, and the result was never in any doubt, as San Giljan coasted through to their victory.
Dowling finished with a total of four goals, and Alex Radovic added three more for the Saints. Valletta had three players all on hat tricks, Charlie Zammit, Filipovic and Michael Rizzo.
Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock , M. Spiteri Staines , M. Korolija, N. Bonello Ghio , D. Abela , D. Paolella , C. Zammit 3, C. Debono 1, R. Scerri , M. CXordina , D. Filipovic 3, M. Rizzo 3
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro 1, A. Galea 1, B. Plumpton , K. Dowling 4, M. Zammit 1, A. Radovic 3, A. Bianchi 1, K. Galea ,Z. Kovacic 1, P. Fava 1, D. Zammit 2, J. Sammut
Referees: P. Balzan, F. Ricciotti
Source: www.independent.com.mt