Exiles 7 Neptunes 21

(3-4) (1-8) (2-3) (1-6)

The last set of four matches  forming the third and final round started tonight at the National Pool but I must say it was a poor showing indeed.

The partial scores tell it all. By the half-way mark the match was over. Exiles did start on a high note and kept up  the pace with the more quoted opponents. Then came the second session with an avalanche of goals – some of which could have been avoided – to which our lads had no reply. Our shooting at this point of the game was far from accurate and we suffered several contra breaks. The third session was balanced with the boys closing the gap to six goals before three late goals in the last three minutes saw the Reds restore an unassailable lead. The final quarter was  another one-sided affair with Neptunes finding the back of the net on six occasions.

No doubt the heavy partial scores against our lads prove that their concentration is intermittent and when it’s off, there is complete blankness.  The team’s spirit fizzled out.

When defending, Coach Cousin opted for press risking exclusions which occurred (eleven) but gave the team a second chance to defend man-down. This system did not pay much as the Reds scored seven of the eleven exclusions whilst two penalties awarded were converted. In the attacks, the  method adopted was effective. We did shoot at goal and most players tried to pot but it was the finishing which lacked the necessary accuracy that failed to bear fruit and had a negative result on our lads who had to chase their opponents to defend their fort.

The final shot was more often not concluded by the best positioned player. The erratic passing is still causing problems for our rearguard. A few breaks in our favour were not well administered and concluded. This resulted in conceding contra breaks and goals which could have been avoided. In my view some players  can contribute more towards the team’s cause and avoid tonight’s debacle.

Something positive did ooze as Frenchman Cousin utilized all players on the team list including Steve Galea Pace (photo) who made his debut with some good saves during the third and fourth session when he deputized for Ian Bugeja.

The team line-up was made of Ian Bugeja, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Simon Vassallo, David Pace Lupi, Nicky Portelli, Sasha Radovic (1 goal), James Spiteri Staines, Voja Cupic (2 goals), Kurt Grisct, Peter Borg (1 goal), Steve Galea Pace, Diego Borg (1 goal) and Kayne Lanzon (2 goals).

We wish a speedy recovery to Mark Magri who was injured in an Under-20 match yesterday and was  sidelined tonight.

Our next match is against Sliema on Friday the 16th August at 19.15 hours.

KaFa

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