Exiles 4 Sirens 8

(1-2) (2-1) (0-2) (1-2)

Exiles failed to put up the same fight made at the end of last month against Sirens when last Saturday 18th April they met in a match to determine the final placings from the 4th to the 6th berth.

The match was a balanced affair up to half-way mark with the score standing three goals apiece. Coach Matthew Pisani had to change plans late in the first session when Andrea Bianchi got his second major foul and was spared for a few minutes. Half-way through the second session James Spiteri Staines was sent out for good after attempting to distract the penalty thrower when this was awarded to our opponents.

In the third session the Exiles committed defensive mistakes to allow the Northeners to gain a two-goal advantage and in one of the best attacks, four minutes to the final whistle, Exiles missed a sitter to reduce the gap to two goals and Sirens went on to build an unassailable lead of three goals. The last goal suffered came in the dying seconds of the match after our David Pace Lupi was caught infringing the two-metre area and his strike was disallowed.

Once again, the team lost its punch in the second part of the match when their swimming power faded and the attacks were erratic with just one goal scored. None of the goals scored came from a set attack. We still see basic mistakes being made and hope that our players learn not to commit them in the forthcoming summer league.

For the record, Exiles suffered four goals from eight expulsions and two penalties one of which was converted. They had nine man-up situations but found the net three times. missing six chances. A penalty awarded to the boys was converted.

Coach Matthew Pisani made use of the following players: Steve Galea Pace, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Simon Vassallo (1 goal), David Pace Lupi (2 goals), Michael Paris, James Spiteri Staines, Sean Gravina (1 goal), Kurt Griscti, David Abela, Andrea Bianchi, Philip Paris, Nicky Paris and Kayne Lanzon.

The next and final match for Exiles in this year’s ASA Winter Premier League will be  next Saturday 25th April when they take Valletta United at The National Pool at 15.45 hours.

Kafa

photo by Adrian Farrugia

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