Birkirkara returned to winning form yesterday after an easy 4-1 win against newly promoted Pembroke.
It was a richly deserved win for the Stripes who dominated from start to finish.
Pembroke were only in the match near the end of the first half when they scored a goal which gave them some hope of retaliation in the second period, but that was not to be as Birkirkara made sure of the three points with two quick goals.
The Stripes now move onto the seven-point mark after their second victory of the season.
Birkirkara coach Giovanni Tedesco made three changes to the side that lost to Valletta the previous weekend. Zach Muscat, Vito Plut and Marcelina Emerson all started the match, while Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat and Edmond Agius started from the substitutes' bench.
On the other hand, Winston Muscat's Pembroke were at full strength.
In the first half, Birkirkara immediately took the game to their opponents and their superiority was evident as they built a healthy 2-0 lead by the 16th minute.
The Stripes constructed most of their good moves on the right flank where either Herrera or Zach Muscat created havoc in a weak Pembroke defence.
The Premier newcomers never made a serious reaction and Tedesco's men could therefore control with ease without pressing hard on the Pembroke fort.
But when Winston Muscat's boys reduced the gap just before the interval, the story became completely different and one expected a stronger reaction from them in the second half.
But his never materialised as the Stripes quickly re-established their two-goal lead early in the second period.
Birkirkara went on to score a fourth goal to consolidate their lead.
It was ironic that Fabrizio Miccoli did not figure among the scorers yesterday. However, he was deservedly voted best player having been involved in almost all the goals of his team.
Birkirkara almost took the lead on the first minute when off a Camenzuli cross, it was Miccoli who concluded badly from an ideal position.
After some half chances going astray, the Stripes took the lead on the 11th minute. From a Miccoli cross, the ball went to Mazzetti who controlled the ball before hitting home past Farrugia.
It was 2-0 on the 16th minute. Plut sent Morais through on the right. His shot was partially saved by Farrugia but Plut followed the action to score easily from the rebound.
Just before the interval, Pembroke managed to reduce the arrears when after a melee in midfield, Martz received the ball and advanced a few paces before beating Haber with a low shot.
Birkirkara started the second half the way they started the first. Costa Morais set Miccoli on the left in the Pembroke area, but his shot was deviated to corner by a defender.
It was not long before the Stripes re-established their two-goal lead. From a Miccoli freekick, Farrugia failed to hold the ball and Zach Muscat was on hand to tap the ball home.
In the 54th minute, Haber was called into action on a rare occasion, turning to corner a Barbetti effort.
The Stripes added a fourth goal on the 66th minute. It was Miccoli who set Ellinton Costa Morais beautifully. The latter passed to the unmarked Plut who had no difficulty to beat Farrugia.
In another rare attack by Pembroke, it was Gibson who fired just wide after receiving a good ball from Martz.
Till the end, there were no more goal scoring chances with the Stripes more intent on ball possession than pressing forward for more goals.