Sliema 7 Exiles Jetfreight 11

Partial scores (0-4) (2-1) (3-2) (2-4)

Exiles made history tonight when they beat for the first time Sliema 11-7 in a competitive league match at first team level.

It is a fitting reward to Dorian Pisani and his assistant Matthew Pisani for two hard years of work which bore its fruit when their team had the better of a more-quoted side that failed to repeat the comeback made earlier mid-week when the Blues turned tables in a dramatic fourth and final quarter of the Knock-Out tie.

One must mention the discipline and perfect tactics adopted by the Exiles side the success of which was in doubt in the second minute of the last quarter (7-6) before three quick goals were scored to take an unassailable four-goal lead 105 seconds to the final horn. Exiles had once again taken a four-goal lead in the first session in which they missed two consecutive man-ups. Sliema on their part squandered three man-ups and a penalty by Molina which Exiles keeper Matthew Castillo saved 20 seconds to the end.

Dorian Pisani had to change plans when after the first quarter, Julian Rizzo Naudi and Andrea Bianchi had two major fouls. To complicate matters for the Exiles’ mentor, it was Timmy Sullivan’s turn to be excluded twice. The team kept its composure especially in the defence as their opponents’ finishing was poor and off target. The five goals netted by Slobo Nikic showed his world class but the rest of his team mates is to be commended for the perfect passes in hole. The six other goals were scored by six different players on the match card.

Sliema converted one of the six man-ups and missed a penalty whilst Exiles scored twice out of nine occasions when they were an extra man. There were awarded a penalty in their favour and which was converted. There was also a double exclusion.

At the end, it was Exiles’ night as complimented by the round of applause attributed by the crowd including the neutrals present at the National Pool.

Congratulations to the whole team – you made Exiles proud.

Matthew Castillo, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Daniel Borg Millo, Michele Stellini (1 goal), Timmy Sullivan (1 goal), Sean Xerri de Caro (1 goal), Slobodan Nikic (5 goals), Kurt Griscti, Nicky Paris (1 goal), Andrea Bianchi (1 goal), Benji Lanzon (1 goal), Luca Felice and Steve Galea Pace formed the team that made this historic achievement.

Next match sees Exiles play Neptunes on Saturday 5th August at 18.00 hours

Cut and paste this link: Matthew Castillo parrying a penalty against Sliema in the first session;

KaFa

picture by Adrian Farrugia shows ‘man of the match’ Slobodan Nikic (Blue cap) scorer of 5 goals being tackled by Nicholas Bugelli of Sliema

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