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

This match played last Saturday against outgoing summer champions Neptunes, had no story as the Reds took four minutes in the first session before they opened the scoring and never looked back to lead 8-1 by the half-way mark. The second part of the match was academic as there was no reaction by Dorian Pisani’s boys even though the 4-5 partial score made the final one slightly respectable. Exiles used their usual attacking system of trying to feed Slobo Nikic in the hole but the few passes which landed in his hand were saved by Neptunes’ goalie Alan Borg Cole. At times Slobo remained in his opponents’ half-pitch shadowed by a Reds’ player with the hope that the Reds miss their final shot and a long throw towards the Serbian would put him in a shooting position to finish off the attack. When facing a set defence, Exiles were prone to the breaks of their swift opponents.

Dorian Pisani made use of the following players: Matthew Castillo, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Daniel Borg Millo, Michele Stellini, Timmy Sullivan (1 goal), Sean Xerri de Caro, Slobodan Nikic, Kurt Griscti (3 goals), Nicky Paris, Andrea Bianchi, Benji Lanzon (1 goal) and Luca Felice.

For the record Exiles had three exclusions, two of which were converted as was a penalty in the first session. Exiles managed to find the net on two of the six man-ups whilst at the end of the second session Nikic missed a penalty.

This match was the Exiles’ last match of Round Two when all the Premier Teams have played ten matches. The Third and final round will commence next week-end on Saturday the 29th July 2017, when Exiles (5th placed) take on Sliema who placed third overall. Swim-up at 19.15 hours.

In the meantime, in a Knock-Out Competition being played mid-week, Exiles were drawn in the preliminary round against Sliema. The match will be played on Wednesday 26th July at the National Pool Sports Complex at 18.45 hours.

KaFa

photo by Adrian Farrugia shows Nicky Paris shooting at goal in the second part of the match

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