The midweek matches confirmed the current good moment for Birkirkara who recovered from an early shock against Msida St Joseph to emerge triumphant 5-2 after a splendid second half performance.

The programme also saw the return to winning form of Hibernians who overpowered Pieta Hotspurs 4-0 while for Valletta and Floriana, it was a disappointing 1-1 draw which was only a consolation for the fact that they both avoided a second defeat.

Marsaxlokk were expected to do much better in their opener against Hamrun in which they failed to leave the slightest of impressions.

The 5-2 win for the Stripes did not just confirm their current good moment. It was also a second consecutive win with a high score – they have now scored nine goals and suffered four in their opening two league matches – which has helped them to occupy the sole leadership in the standings, although four other teams, including Sliema and Mosta (both on three points), still have to play their second match.

Yet Birkirkara had to overcome an early shock from their rivals who took the lead and even threatened to increase it on more than one occasion before the Stripes came back strongly into the match.

Daniel Nwoke was a constant thorn in the Stripes defence which had such players as Yantchev, Camenzuli and Scicluna at sixes and sevens against the speedy Nigerian.

But after George Mallia scored that equaliser and Matthew Calascione put them in front soon after the changeover, it was a completely different kettle of fish. In fact, not even Daniel Theuma’s temporary equaliser from a penalty was enough to save the day for Msida.

The Stripes then forgot all about their opening 30 minutes and started playing some flowing football which was a delight to watch.

Matthew Calascione proved to be their hero. He put them ahead soon after the changeover, but then he set his colleagues on the way to victory with a polished performance, making him a great asset for the side since his return from Australia. It is only ironic that he was substituting the injured Etienne Barbara.

However, it was not just a one-man performance. In that second half, other players such as George Mallia, Roderick Briffa, William Camenzuli, Precious Monye and A. Ciantar showed their true worth, not to mention the others as well.

The Stripes simply confirmed they will again be among the main challengers for the title this season. Azzopardi has a well equipped squad.

Msida will lament the chances they missed especially before taking the lead. They might say they were unlucky on certain occasions, but they will have to be the first to admit that they did not live in the same streets as their opponents – a football match lasts 90 minutes, not just 45.

But I still think this Msida side is bound to improve under the able hands of Todor Raykov, especially when midfielder Roderick Bajada returns from suspension in the next match.

Hibernians returned to winning form with a 4-0 annihilation of Pieta Hotspurs.

It was a sound performance by the Paolites which went a long way to appease their fans after the disappointment for their opening dismal 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sliema.

It was a collective effort by a team which certainly confirmed it has all the ingredients to make a bold challenge for the title.

The Paolites were strong at the back where Aaron Xuereb and Adrian Pulis were in control in the central approaches and impressive in midfield where Essiem Mbong and David Camilleri were given a big helping hand by Pullicino and Baldacchino on both flanks.

It was up front that the Paolites found some trouble as Haruna Doda still waits to find his goal scoring form and Terence Scerri wasted some good opportunities which were, however, converted by his team-mates Antoine Zahra and Andrew Cohen.

On the other hand, Pieta failed to live up to predictions that they would be a hard nut to crack for all, especially after their opening day’s 2-0 defeat of Floriana.

Against the Paolites, they were found wanting at the back and up front as the Paolites showed superiority from start to finish.

The day before, the new-look Marsaxlokk side failed to leave the desired and expected impact against newcomers Hamrun Spartans, winning narrowly by the odd goal in three.

The southern seasiders, despite possessing some good foreign elements and some of the best local young talent, failed to convince despite their domination of a game where Hamrun Spartans were forced to defend for most of the time.

Atanas Marinov will certainly have to work harder to find the right combination, but one has to admit the season is still in its early stages and, given the proper chances, this team is bound to show a vast improvement.

Cleaven Frendo showed that he is still sharp as he was last season, but Andre Schembri is again struggling to find his best form.

Among those who left a good impression, perhaps, were Brazilian striker Wendell Gomes and Gareth Sciberras in midfield.

The Spartans’ limitations were known to one and all. Nothing special was expected of this side, though coach Michael Degiorgio would have expected something better.

The team will do better if their three Nigerians can insert themselves more comfortably in the side and show that they are much better players than they were on this, their first official outing.

The city and suburban derby between Valletta and Floriana did not produce any scintillating displays from any of the two sides, but, at least, it was an entertaining match which kept the fairly-sized crowd interested till the end.

The Greens took an early lead, but the citizens replied with an equaliser just before the break. The drawn result kept the two sides on just one point from two matches, and they are already five points away from the leadership.

Both sides had to play the match with some key elements ruled out either through injury or suspension.

But despite everything, it is obvious that they will both have to show a vast improvement if they are to look forward to a successful season.

In the City line-up striker Jerry Ani still has to score his first official goal after two matches and goalkeeper Montfort confirmed he is a reliable substitute for Sean Sullivan, while in the Floriana side, Brazilian Rocha da Silva and Christian Cassar were the protagonists.