Exiles win 'Sliema' derby
Exiles Elia Caterers 7 Sliema 4
Partial scores (1-0) (3-1) (2-2) (1-1)
Exiles outclassed neigbours Sliema when both sides met last night. This was Igor Vukanovi's third win in this year's edition of the Enemed Cup and qualify for a semi-final berth with one match to play. Sliema had Jerome Gabarretta suspended and Michael Spiteri Staines sidelined with an injury.
Exiles piled a four-goal lead in the first two quarters (4-0) before Sliema scored their first goal after 15 minutes of actual play. The Blues rallied to reduce the gap to one goal (3-4) with three minutes left to play. Exiles inched ahead with two quick goals in the last sixty seconds to start the final quarter (6-3). In the second minute of the last session Exiles widened the margin to four goals (7-3) but Sliema replied to narrow the deficit to three goals. Exiles survived two crucial man-down situations half-way through the session and were home and dry by the final horn.
Exiles rearguard was instrumental in winning the three points as was the sharpness in their attacks. Sliema did not manage to find the net when playing six against six.
Man-up – Exiles converted one on three exclusions and a penalty awarded. Sliema had six man-ups and converted two of them as well as two penalties.
Exiles' Coach Igor Vukanovic made use of the following players, Matthew Castillo, Jake Bajada, Andrew Magri, Philip Paris (1 goal), Sean Xerri de Caro, Mark Fenech (3 goals), Kurt Griscti (3 goals), Nicky Paris, Aurelien Cousin and Simon Apap.
In match day 5 – the last one of the Preliminary Round , Exiles take on Sirens on Saturday the 14th March 2020 at 16.15 hours.