Sliema W 3
Valletta 0
Sliema W: J. Galea, M. Mucciardi, K. Shaw, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri (M. Sansone 74 min), M. De Assis Jefferson (E. Agius 86 min), R. Fenech (J.P. Farrugia 90 min), N. Ashong, F. Temile, G. Adamovic, S. Bincardi
Valletta: H. Bonello, S. Borg, R. Camilleri (J. Borg 73 min), G. Cruz, S. Malano, M. Picciolo, M. Pena Beltre, J. Zerafa, I. Saleh, M. Alba (K. Nwoko 59 min), M. Fontanella
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Ass.referees: Luke Portelli, Dusan Petrovic
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Scorers: K. Shaw 42 min, R. Fenech 60 min, 83 min
Yellow cards: S. Bianciardi, G. Cruz
Player of the match: Ryan Fenech (Sliema Wanderers)
Attendance: 1315
Sliema Wanderers stunned champions Valletta yesterday with three goals to have a flying start to the season. Sliema fully deserved this victory against a plucky and pathetic Valletta side who rarely put a foot right.
Sliema played a diligent match, on the receiving end for long stretches but always in full control and never struggling when under pressure. When in possession of the ball the Wanderers were always menacing with Jefferson and Temile keeping the City rearguard on edge.
The champions were a disappointing lot yesterday and coach Danilo Doncic will surely hope that yesterday's performance will not repeat itself throughout the season.
The match had a rather timid start with Valletta however in full control of the proceedings. On ten minutes their first attempt at goal when a Picciolo scorcher was brilliantly saved by Sliema goalkeeper Galea.
Sliema hit back on 20 minutes with a Jefferson angled drive well-saved but goalkeeper Bonello. The game failed to lift off, boring and pathetic at times. Valletta had another attempt on 26 minutes when Picciolo well served by Malano failed to conclude from an acute angle.
Halfway through the first half Mark Scerri tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot was completely off target. Valletta continued to hold territorial advantage but were rather erratic up front.
Saleh had a good move on the right flank but his shot went wide. On 35 minutes, a Malano freekick from an ideal position went over the bar. On the other end, a Ryan Fenech shot went wide and three minutes from the break Sliema took a surprise lead when Ryan Fenech's corner was met by the completely unmarked Kurt Shaw who beat Bonello with a close-range header.
As expected Valletta went all out in search of the equaliser in the second half and went close on 52 minutes with a Malano close-range header off a Beltre cross from the right. Minutes earlier Piciollo's shot went wide.
On 55 minutes Sliema were rather unlucky not to double the score when with Mucciardi hitting the post and with goalkeeper Henry Bonello making two brilliant saves off Temile and Jefferson in a never-ending move in front of the City goal.
But on the hour the ball was back at the back of the net behind Bonello who was completely deceived by a well taken Ryan Fenech freekick. Valletta failed to react and only came to life fifteen minutes from time with a Malano freekick slightly over the bar.
Ten minutes from time Fontanella went close with a shot on the turn but two minutes later Sliema sealed the match with another Ryan Fenech goal who finished in style after a fast Wanderers break.
Positive start for new look Spartans
Hamrun S 2
Floriana 0
Hamrun: E. Bartolo, A. Monticelli, E Pepe, T. Caruana, R. Nayar, C. Heneberg (R. Darmanin 90 min), M. Gauci, D. Priso, K. Micallef, C. Calil, K. Tulimieri (B. Schembri 87 min)
Floriana: I. Akpan, M. Saleh, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, I. Varela, J. Cabral, C. Failla, J. Pisani (P. Wleh 66 min), A. Cini (M. Zarb 87 min), A. Oyama, E. Marcelina
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Ass.referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Scorers: K. Tulimieri 65 min, B. Schembri 88 min
Yellow cards: D. Priso, K. Micallef, B. Schembri, M. Saleh, J. Cabral, A. Oyama
Player of the match: Kevin Tulimieri (Hamrun S)
New look Hamrun Spartans made a positive start to the new season claiming the three points at stake beating Floriana with second-half goals. The Spartans who went on a shopping spree this summer left a good impression, especially in the second half.
The side led by Italian Giovanni Tedesco, who yesterday had to guide his side from among the loyal Hamrun supporters as he was serving a suspension, has built a solid outfit, and there is room for improvement.
The Hamrun side as said had several new faces in the team. Goalkeeper Bartolo made two daring saves at the start to keep his side in the game, and central defenders Nayar and Enrico Pepe formed a solid block.
Frank Tulimieri who scored the opening goal, and Argentine import Carlos Henneberg left a very good impression.
The Greens' performance left much to be desired yesterday. Enrico Chiesa's side had quite a good start missing two glorious chances inside the opening 25 minutes, but then faded out and never worried the Hamrun rearguard after falling behind midway through the second part of the game.
Floriana lacked vision of play and many times Varela and Cabral were not supported in attack. Play on the flanks was completely lacking and Clayton Failla seems far from his best form. Marcelina was his usual self in midfield, winning many balls, but failing to impress in the construction of play.
Arthur Oyama had a high work rate but was very erratic too, and central defender from Palestine Mohammed Saleh had a rather quiet afternoon.
The game to life unexpectedly halfway through the first half when the Hamrun defence was caught napping on a Steve Pisani cross and Varela face to face with the goalkeeper Bartolo had his first-timer brilliantly saved by the Hamrun custodian.
Seven minutes Floriana had an even greater scoring opportunity. Hamrun defender Matthew Grech completely misjudged his back pass towards Bartolo, and Juninho Cabral was all alone in front of goal, but the Floriana strike failed to beat Bartolo who made a brilliant save.
Sixty seconds later at the other end the Spartans were unlucky not to take the lead when from a Matthew Gauci freekick, Caetano Calil's header hit the base of the upright with Akpan helpless.
The second half again started with Floriana having the upper hand but Hamrun were well covered at the back and their offensive department started to click better. Five minutes into the second half a Cabral effort hit the side netting, and five minutes later a Ruiz effort from a distance was completely off target.
On the hour a Tulimieri effort was deflected by defender Ruiz, with the Floriana goalkeeper making a very good save to save his side. But the Spartans broke the deadlock on 65 minutes. Njongo Prios, one of the best for his side passed towards Henneberg who headed towards the onrushing Frank Tulimieri who first-timed home past Akpan for a well-taken goal.
Floriana were now in disarray and looked helpless in attack. Varela and Cabral had two shots that went well over the bar, and two minutes from time Hamrun sealed the issue with a second goal. Priso was once again the mastermind when he pressed for the ball and passed towards Henneberg who passed towards substitute Bradley Schembri who tapped the ball home to the delight of the Hamrun supporters.
Atkinson scores hat-trick in fine St Andrews win
Mosta 1
St Andrews 3
Mosta: A. Vella, K. Hirose, RA Oliveira, J. Brincat (J. Brincat), M. Sammartino, D. Xuereb (F. Mazzavillani), M. Gomez, T. Farrugia, E. Edet, R.Romeu, K. Zammit (K. Frendo)
St Andrews: M. Calleja Cremona, A. Satariano, T. Blagrove, K. Atkinson, K. Butler (D.Debono), J. Farrugia (M. Veselji), M. Woo Ling, A. Borg, A. Brown (M. D'Alessandro), M. Davis, J. Van de Lannoite
Referee: E. Grech
Asst refs: D. Sultana, D. Stankovic
4th official: JA Utulu
Scorers: K. Atkinson 3, RA Oliveira
Yellow cards: K. Butler, M. Woo Ling, A. Satariano, K. Hirose, T. Blagrove, A. Borg
Red cards: A. Borg
Player of the match: K. Atkinson
TMI Top 3: 1. K. Atkinson; 2. A. Brown; 3. RA Oliveira
Kevaughn Atkinson was the St Andrews hero yesterday as the Violets registered a convincing 3-1 win against Mosta.
He scored a fine hat-trick (two of them in the second half) and deserved to be named Player of the match. Mosta's best player, Renan Abner Oliveira, had scored an equaliser.
The two teams, especially Mosta, included several new faces in their line-up with some of their new foreigners showing some good technique. Sammartino, Romeu (ex-Valletta) and Oliveira all figured prominently.
On their part, the Saints had Atkinson, Davis and Brown in good form as they provided the Mosta defence with several anxious moments. It is enough to say that Atkinson scored the first hat-trick of the competition, while Butler proved to be the great provider.
Play was more or less balanced in the first half which had a fiery start - two goals in the opening 13 minutes.
The two teams played some attractive football at times with the Saints showing more purpose in their forays. In fact, they were also unlucky not to have scored again as Brown hit the post.
It was in the second half that the Saints emerged as the best team on the field of play. The Atkinson, Brown and Davis trio proved too much for the Blues who never really responded after falling behind.
On 4 minutes, Atkinson was through for the Saints, but Farrugia managed to clear to corner in extremis. From the resultant corner kick, a Mosta defender handled the ball in the area and referee Emanuel Grech showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. Atkinson made no mistake to give the Saints an early lead.
Mosta levelled the score on 13 minutes and what a goal it was! It was Sammartino who set Oliveira in the Saints area and the latter beat Calleja Cremona with a splendid left-foot rising shot.
On the 29th minute, St Andrews were unlucky not to regain the lead when a shot from the edge of the area by Amoy Brown hit the post with Mosta goalie Vella beaten. Soon after, from a Blagrove cross, an Atkinson shot was blocked to a corner.
Nine minutes later, Martin Davis crossed low into the Mosta area, but the ball passed across goal with no takers in sight.
The Saints missed a great opportunity to score on 54 minutes when after a fine run by Brown, it was Butler who hit well over the bar when completely unmarked in the centre of the Mosta area.
But three minutes later, the Saints were in the lead once again. Butler, one of their best players, set Atkinson with a fine long pass and the latter made no mistake as Vella rushed out of his charge.
Mosta's reaction was somewhat feeble but on 67 minutes, from a Romeu cross, Oliveira had a header going wide.
Sammartino should have equalised for Mosta in the 71st minute when he received a long through ball; he lobbed the ball over the onrushing Calleja Cremona, but the ball went wide.
The Saints took control in the 74th minute as they scored the third goal. It was again Butler who set Atkinson on the right flank. The latter advanced into the area and beat Vella with a low, angled shot, to obtain his hat-trick.
Two minutes later, a Martin Davis shot was saved by Vella aided by the crossbar.
At the official's final whistle, St Andrews were deserved winners.
Samb leads Gzira to easy opening win
Tarxien R. 1
Gzira U. 4
Tarxien R.: A. Cassar, D. Zerafa, M. Brincat, M. Spiteri, M. Paolucci, A. Agius, L. Grech, R. Radovanovic, AF De Barros, M. Ciantar (A. Nilsson), R. Faria.
Gzira U.: J. Haber, D. P. Mambouana, N. Muscat, Z. Scerri, R. Soares, A. Cohen (L. Brincat), JC Corbolan, C. Gatt Baldacchino, E. Zarate Bilbao, T. Veronese (S. Borg), A. Samb (L. Moad).
Referee: M. Degabriele.
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, R. Vella.
4th official: D. Agius.
Scorers: A. Samb 2 (pens), E. Zarate Bilbao, M. Spiteri, DP Mambouana
Yellow cards: A. Cassar, A. De Barros, A. Agius, R. Soares,
Player of the match: A. Samb.
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Samb; 2. E. Zarate Bilboa, 3, M.Paolucci.
Attendance: 327
Gzira United, who finished third last season, started the new campaign yesterday with an easy and convincing win against a disappointing Tarxien side.
Two penalty goals from last season's Premier League top scorer Amadou Samb, Edison Zarate Bilbao and Destin Prince Mambouana scored their goals, while Matthew Spiteri netted Tarxien's consolation goal.
It was a deserved win for the Maroons who dominated play for long stretches, especially after scoring an early goal through a penalty. Even after Tarxien came back into contention early in the second half, Gzira found the energy to hit back to make sure of the three points.
Gzira, therefore, started the new campaign as they finished the past season. The Maroons appeared solid at the back with the introduction of former Hibs central defender Rodolfo Soares and well equipped in midfield and attack, even if experienced international midfielder Roderick Briffa and another former Hibs player, striker Jorginho, were missing.
Tarxien started the match with a rejuvenated side and at first seemed to be offering the Maroons a good challenge, but after Gzira took the lead through Samb's first penalty, and late in the second half they had to bow their heads to a superior side.
Gzira took the lead on the 16th minute when goalie Cassar floored Cohen in the area and from the resultant penalty, Amadou Samb made no mistake.
A few moments later, Samb advanced into the Rainbows' area, but his shot passed across goal agonisingly missing the target.
In the 21st minute, a Cohen shot was well saved by Cassar. At the other end, a Faria effort proved to be too weak and therefore easy prey for Haber.
Two minutes from the interval whistle, Edison Zarate Bilboa made the most of a bad back pass to goalie Cassar and put the ball at the back of the net to give the Maroons a good two-goal cushion.
Zarate again went close in first-half added time - an overhead kick that went just wide.
Early in the second Half, Gzira almost added a third goal. Two shots from Zarate and another from Corbolan were blocked by a desperate Mosta defence.
In the 52nd minute, Tarxien managed to reduce the arrears. Paolucci received the ball from a throw-in and crossed low into the area where Matthew Spiteri was on hand to fire home a low first timer.
On the hour, Gzira scored a third goal - a second penalty - which referee Degabriele awarded them after Zerafa floored Samb. The latter again made no mistake to score his second spot-kick of the evening.
In the 67th minute, Samb received a long ball, advanced and beat Radovanovic on the edge of the area only to see his effort hitting the base of the upright.
In the 72nd minute, goalie Cassar did well to palm out a Cohen humdinger, but could do nothing to stop Mambouana from scoring a fourth goal following a corner kick by Muscat.
Till the end, Gzira controlled Tarxien's feeble efforts easily to cruise to a comfortable opening win.