Exiles Jetfreight 5 Sliema 11

Partial scores: (1-1) (1-3) (0-2) (3-5)

The expected thrust following their previous outing which saw Exiles edge Valletta United 6-5, came to a halt as Kayne Lanzon’s side failed to give Sliema a good fight when both sides met yesterday afternoon with the Blues emerging worthy winners as the final score indicates.

Exiles’ rearguard proved to be the weakest point as soft goals conceded could have been avoided with tighter marking and sharper reflexes. In their attacks, Exiles were quick to take up their positions however the final shot somehow missed their opponents’ fort. The eleven man-ups and penalty awarded (but missed) amply show that Exiles played at par with their neighbours.  Sliema  scored two of their seven man-ups. A higher percentage of conversions (3 on 11) would have kept the match in balance, even though in the last quarter, the five-goal advantage Sliema built (2-7) was trimmed to three (5-8) as the Boys reacted before the Blues extended their lead to six by the final horn.

Kayne Lanzon made use of all the players at his disposal.

Matthew Castillo,  Chris von Brockdorff, Andrea Bianchi, Philip Paris, Timmy Sullivan (2 goals), Sean Xerri de Caro, Mark Fenech (1 goal), Kurt Griscti, Nicky Paris (1 goal), Aurelien Cousin (1 goal), Benji Lanzon Luca Felice and Gianni Ciappara.

Exiles finished 5th in the table and will now meet 4th placed Neptunes on Saturday 21st April, for a place in the ‘final four’ which sees the winner of the tie meeting San Giljan – the top team after the Preliminary Round. On the other side of the draw the winner of the play-off Sirens (3rd) vs Valletta United (6th) take on runners-up Sliema in the other semi-final.

KaFa

photo by Adrian Farrugia shows Luca Felice (white cap) tackling Nicholas Bugelli

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