Matthew Calascione (Birkirkara)

He was only a substitute for the injured and in-form Etienne Barbara, but he justified his presence with one of his best ever performances for the Stripes.

After missing out the whole of last season because of his spell in Australia, Calascione has returned to the Stripes fold with a bang.

It was obvious that he would have found it rather difficult to find his place immediately in the starting line-up, but having been given this chance, he responded magnificently.

He scored a well taken goal which paved the way for the Stripes’ win and then gave the Mside defence plenty to think and worry about before helping his side to a comfortable 5-2 win.

Goal scorers

2 – J. Brincat (Sliema W.), D. Nwoke (Msida), M. Calascione, G. Mallia, R. Briffa (Birkirkara)

1 – W. Camenzuli, A. Zahra, A. Ciantar (Birkirkara), M. Galea, B. Nisevic, I. Zammit (Valletta), M. Deanov, C. Sciuto (Pieta), D. Bogdanovic (Sliema W.), I. Chibueze, U. Nwoko (Mosta), C. Cassar (Floriana), D. Theuma (Msida), C. Frendo, M. Licari (Marsaxlokk), S. Sultana (Hamrun S.), A. Cohen, A. Zahra, T. Scerri (Hibs).

Own goals – I. Deanov (Pieta v. Hibs).

Next programme

(all matches at Ta’ Qali)

Saturday 20 August

5.30pm, Hamrun S.-Pieta H.

7.30pm, Floriana-Hibernians

Sunday 21 August

5.30pm, Mosta-Sliema

7.30pm, Valletta-Msida SJ

Monday 22 August

8pm, Birkirkara-M’xlokk

Thomas Caruana (St Patrick)

Rarely has a player from the lower reaches of the standings made it to my selection for this weekly honour, but St Patrick’s midfielder/striker Thomas Caruana is definitely my pick this week.

He has been passing through a bright patch during the season, despite the Saints’ mostly unfortunate performances.

But on Sunday, he certainly was influential in the way his side St Patrick’s secured their first win of the season.

Caruana not only scored the first goal which paved the way for the victory, but also provided the assist for Anizoba to score the second to secure the three points. Besides, he also had a very good performance during which he also went near on a couple of other occasions.

Coach of the week

Bobby Giorev (St Patrick)

It has been a difficult season for the Bulgarian mentor of the bottom-placed club.

But last Sunday, the victory over Lija Athletic – the club’s first this season – must have provided him with a lot of satisfaction.

He led the club to break the ice, finally relishing a victorious moment in a season which, till last Sunday, had been most unfortunate.

Many are those observers and football enthusiasts, like me, who have seen the Saints missing the bus on several occasions this season after some good performances, especially in the first round matches against Sliema, Valletta and Hibernians.

After this win, Giorev & Co can look forward to the future with a lot more optimism