Birkirkara 1
Balzan 0
Birkirkara: K. Naumovski, A. Chapoval Azavedo, M. Andelkovic, P. Fenech, J. Grech (G. Zammit 86 min), K. Zammit, E. Ferreira Dos Santos, C. Attard, H. Franca De Siqueira, T. De Souza De Brito (E. Herrera 81 min), M. Basrak (T. Agius 65 min)
Balzan: S. Sultana, J. Grioli, N. Sljivic, S. Bezzina (R. Correa Duarte 61 min), M. Johnson, A. Effiong, U. Ljubomirac, E. Serrano Valero, E. De Fiori Mendes, B. Kaljevic (L. Micallef 70 min), M. Lepovic (S. Cipriott 79 min)
Referee: Stefan Pace
Ass.referees: Luke Portelli, William Debattista
4th official: Philip Farrugia
Scorers: J. Grech 15 min pen,
Yellow cards: M. Basrak, P. Fenech, E. Serrano Valero, M. Lepovic, T. Agius, K. Zammit
Red card: R. Correa Duarte 91 min
Player of the match: Jake Grech (Birkirkara)
Attendance: 703
A penalty scored by Jake Grech on fifteen minutes proved to be enough for Birkirkara against Balzan in a low profile match between two title contenders. However the performance of both sides left much to be desired, and they must and should be able to offer better fare in the future.
The match failed to lift off even though Balzan looked set to dominate in the early stages. But the decisive penalty proved to be a great setback for Balzan who never really recovered even though they missed a glorious chance just two minutes after suffering Jake Grech's penalty. Balzan lacked ideas and must surely forget yesterday's performance in the future.
Paul Zammit's Birkirkara started on a good note, at least grabbing the three points at stake. However it is still to early to judge this new look Birkirkara side which still needs time to settle down.
Balzan were the better team in the opening minutes and De Fiori Mendes tested Naumovski with a header after a well-orchestrated Balzan match. On 14 minutes Birkirkara were awarded a penalty for a Grioli tackle on De Brito, for a rather harsh decision. From the penalty spot Jake Grech made no mistake.
Two minutes later Balzan missed a sitter when De Fiori Mendes ran through on the left and passed towards Kaljevic who shot incredibly wide with an open goal at his mercy. Half way through the first half Lepovic had an effort from the edge of the area going well over the bar.
On 27 minutes Ljubomirac had a good run on the right and passed to Effiong whose point blank shot was blocked by Cain Attard. Just past the half hour Birkirkara went close with an Azavedo header following a corner action.
The second half started with a Grioli scorcher almost deceiving the Birkirkara custodian. On 62 minutes the Stripes' custodina made the best save of the game saving Lepovic's bombshell destined for the top corner of the net.
The rest of the second half dragged on with Balzan in search of the equaliser but with Birkirkara defending well their precious lead till the final whistle. In stoppage time tempers flaired with an uneccassry free for all which led to the sending off of substitute Correa Duarte.
Hibernians beat 10-man Pieta as Correa scores added time winner
Hibernians 2
Pieta H. 1
Hibernians: A. Hogg, D. Vella, N. Radojevic, J. Mbong, M. Dias, J. Degabriele, IT Ntow, J. Bezzina (TN Correa), A. Agius, I. Blazevic (B. Kristensen), TA Fonseca (T. Tabone Desira).
Pieta H.: N. Vella, O. Takaki, CJ Degabriele, D. Agius, P. Chimezie (S. Bartolo), J. Busuttil (N. Pisani), G. Mensah (A. Mizzi), RJM Artiaga, C. Grech, S. Nakamura, I. Jalo.
Referee: EA Mangion.
Asst refs: CL Francalanza, T. Debono.
4th official: A. Sciriha
Scorers: J. Degabriele, A. Agius (og), TN Correa.
Yellow cards: I. Jalo, I. Ntow, N. Radojevic, J. Mbong, S. Nakamura,
Red card: I. Jalo.
Player of the match: J. Degabriele.
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Bezzina; 2. J. Degabriele; 3. J. Busuttil.
Attendance: 821.
A goal by Nicholas Correa in added time yesterday gave Hibs a 2-1 victory over the stubborn 10-man Pieta side.
The Paolites had taken an early lead through Jurgen Degabriele, but an unlucky own goal by Andrei Agius almost put paid to their hopes of starting the season with a win.
But then came substitute Correa's winner to save the blushes for the Paolites who fielded a changed side from last season. But they welcomed the return of international midfielder Bjorn Kristensen who missed most of last term through a long-term injury - he entered the pitch early in the second half as a substitute.
The Paolites must have been very satisfied with the performance of their local youngsters - Vella, Bezzina, Degabriele and Mbong - in the first half. But in the second half, they faded out.
The Paolites were obviously superior to the newly promoted side and it seemed as if they were going to cruise to a comfortable victory when they took the lead early on through a splendid Degabriele goal.
In the first half, Pieta had to play second fiddle for most of the time. But in the second half, they were a completely transformed outfit. They showed a lot of improvement as they shared the exchanges with their more experienced opponents especially after scoring an equaliser, albeit through an unlucky own goal.
At the end, they were unlucky to suffer the second goal in the final moments, although it must be said that the Paolites deserved to take the three points.
Hibs took the lead with their first real attack in the 7th minute. New signing Fonseca set Jurgen Degabriele who beat goalie Vella with a fine angled rising shot.
Five minutes later, Hibs threatened once again when Mbong set Dias on the right, but the latter's cross was well handled by goalie Vella.
As Hibs continued to dominate, it was Fonseca who advanced into the Pieta area only for his shot to be kicked away by Vella with the ball hitting Degabriele and rebounding wide of goal.
In a rare attack, Pieta requested a penalty when Paul Chimezie fell in the area as he was tackled by a Hibs defender, but the official, close to the action, ignored their protests.
In the 42nd minute, Pieta missed a good chance to level the score when Jan Busuttil advanced into the Paolites' area, but his effort was blocked by the onrushing Hogg.
Two minutes later, it was Hibs who were unlucky not to add a second goal when a Johann Bezzina freekick hit the crossbar with Vella beaten.
Pieta equalised in the 54th minute. From a Gabriele Mensah cross, Hogg's partial interception hit team-mate Andrei Agius and the ball finished at the back of the net.
Hibs were obviously stunned but they replied through an Ntow low shot which went wide.
Pieta were close again on 62 minutes, when after a solo move, Dylan Agius saw his shot going just wide.
On 68 minutes, Pieta ended in 10 men when Jalo was shown a second yellow card and was dismissed. Soon after, it was again Bezzina who went close for Hibs from a freekick - his shot just missed the target.
The match now took an interesting turn as Pieta seriously threatened to take the lead in the 73rd minute. From a Mensah freekick, Chimezie had a free header in front of Hogg, but it finished just over.
At the other end, it was Dunstan Vella who tried his luck for Hibs, but his shot from the edge of the area, when just wide.
Hibs pressed hard for a winner in the final minutes, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the final moments of added time when Correa's shot hit the underpart of the crossbar and crossed the line with the assistant referee convalidating the goal.
Alessio Cassar hands newcomers Qormi a positive start
Qormi 1
Senglea Ath. 0
Qormi: J. Azzopardi, D. Mansi, Y. Yankam, K. Seo In (M. Borg), M. Micallef, A. Abela, JG Gesualdi, A. Cassar, A. Ferreira dos Santos (T. Gusman), K. Soares Kassiano, I. Zammit (M. Camilleri)
Senglea: P. Schranz, M. Bartolo, D. Micallef, B. Muscat, F. Salvati, L. Grech, K. Xuereb, EN Lahrach, R. Vella (C. Dimech), K. Cutajar, A. White
Referee: A. Mario Sant
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, J. Spiteri, EN Lahrach
Scorers: A. Cassar
Yellow cards: B. Muscat, D. Mansi, F. Salvati, L. Grech, T. Gusman
Player of the match: Kim Seo In
TMI Top 3: 1. Kim Seo In; 2. A. Cassar; 3. L. Grech
Premier League newcomers Qormi made a winning start to this season’s campaign as they beat a largely rejuvenated Senglea side in their opening encounter yesterday.
A 49th minute strike by Alessio Cassar was enough for the Yellows to collect their first three points.
On the other hand, it was a disappointment for Senglea who presented an almost completely different team from that of last season – 11 of their players were making their debut for the club yesterday.
The first half was very boring with Qormi taking the initiative and Senglea concentrating mainly in defence.
They managed to close all gaps at the back as the yellows were never really dangerous and their only attempts on Schranz’s goal came from set pieces, apart from a deviated shot near the end of the first half.
Senglea appeared to be an inferior side and struggled to move forward from midfield. They had only one shot to their credit as Qormi appeared too strong at the back with Leighton Grech being isolated for most of the time.
In the second half, Qormi started on a top note, taking the lead in the 3rd minute. From then onwards, they controlled Senglea’s feeble reaction with relative ease.
Senglea were rather poor up front. Not only they failed to test Qormi goalie Jason Azzopardi, but they also lacked any ideas. Moreover, they failed to make a decent reaction after suffering the goal.
Qormi quickly took the initiative and on the 3rd minute, from a Kim Seo In freekick, it was Yannik Yankam who headed just wide.
In the 11th minute, from a Kim Seo cornerkick, it was Mansi who headed wide.
Senglea replied with a fine Karl Cutajar effort that went just wide on 17 minutes.
On the 44th minute, Qormi had their first effort on goal as a Kim Seo effort hit a Senglea defender and was saved on deck by goalie Schranz.
Soon after the start of the second half, Qormi took the lead when from a Yankam cross, goalie Schranz missed the flight of the ball and Alessio Cassar was on hand to hit home from close in.
After this goal, Qormi remained in command and Micallef had a shot saved in two attempts by Schranz.
Senglea tried to push forward in search of an equaliser but Qormi were well organised at the back with Mansi and Abela dominating the central approaches.