Exiles Elia Caterers 11 Neptunes 7

Partial scores: (2-3) (4-0) ( 2-2) ( 3-2)

Saturday the 11th August 2018 will always remain a red-letter day for Exiles. It marks the first ever win over the Reds at senior level since Exiles affiliated with the ASA in 1970.

At the end of the match, the usual few loyal Exiles supporters at the Pool were joined by the neutral section in the terraces to applaud a super display by Marco Cuk’s Boys.

The Club is proud to have finally broken the duck with the more-quoted opponents. This achievement is the fruit of hard work by its current officials and Committee as well as their the decision to trust the first team in the capable hands of Marco Cuk as Head Coach.

The match evolved around a solid defence put up by Exiles against an erratic Neptunes’ formation. The latter had, what seemed like an injured Jeremy Abela taking the water despite his condition. This forced their coach Jovan Popovic to play Petar Muslim in the hole to deprive his side of one of his sharp shooters. Exiles were disciplined, determined and hit their opponents when the gap narrowed. Exiles’ keeper. Matthew Castillo with the help of his team mates kept his fort intact for sixteen consecutive minutes in the first three sessions whilst Exiles players piled six goals (8-3) to keep their opponents at bay. Two minutes in the fourth quarter, two quick goals by Nicky Paris, practically sealed the issue (10-5) before Neptunes made a timid reaction to narrow the final score to four (11-7).

Exiles converted all the three man-ups whilst Neptunes, apart from a missed penalty saved by Matthew Castillo in the first session, squeezed just one of their seven man-ups. There was a simultaneous exclusion.

Marco Cuk made use of all the players on the team list except second goalkeeper Gianni Ciappara; Matthew Castillo, Mark Fenech (1 goal), Andrea Bianchi (1 goal), Michele Stellini (1 goal), Timmy Sullivan (2 goals), Sean Xerri de Caro, Slobodan Nikic (2 goals), Kurt Griscti, Nicky Paris (2 goals), Aurelien Cousin (1 goal), Benji Lanzon, and Philip Paris (1 goal).

Congratulations to Marco and his assistants Igor Vukanovic and Kayne Lanzon besides of course each member of the first team squad.

The Preliminary Round comes to an end  with  the final match of the second round when Exiles take on Sliema next Friday 17th August at 17.30 which may determine whether the Blues will be the second team to qualify directly into the ‘Final Four’ stage.

This historic win is dedicated to two former Exiles’ stalwarts and founding members Gino Camilleri and Charles Grixti who are not around to savour this pleasant moment with the Exiles community.

KaFa

photo by Saviour Brincat shows Neptunes’ Petar Muslim (blue cap) aiming at the Exiles posts, blocked by Timmy Sullivan, Kurt Griscti and Benji Lanzon (white caps)

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