Sliema Wanderers maintained their perfect start to this season's league campaign, claiming eternal rivals Floriana as their eighth victims on the trot. Their hundred per cent record remains unblemished - eight wins out of eight games.

Yet Aquilina's men do not always appear as unassailable as such slick statistics suggest and once more they were given a hard time by opponents from the opposite end of the table. To their credit, the leaders have a regimented reliable style, effective rather than fancy, and are showing the consistency of true champions.

They are capable of enduring heavy weather, absorb the pressure but then break away in deadly fashion. Daniel Bogdanovic's late strike enabled them grind yet another positive result.

Floriana's first league win this season has eluded them once again, despite their good performances. Floriana fail to convert the chances they create and despite all their efforts they remain rooted at the bottom of the table.

Adrian Mifsud's dismissal shortly after the break, must have had a telling effect and ruined all the good work the Greens put up in the first half. But watching them play, it is not so difficult to understand why they have only scored nine goals so far this season.

Their striking force lacks punch and to add insult to injury they will now face their next match against Birkirkara without the suspended Mifsud.

The chasing pack of Hibernains, Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk all won their matches this week-end.

Inspired by the creative and lethal striker Andrew Cohen, Hibernians overcame a tricky test against the in-form Msida side with alarming ease.

For Hibernians, this was an opportunity to regains their form after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Valletta before the international break.

The Paolites dominated as the match progressed and dismantled a depleted Msida in the second period. They were boosted by the return of Failla and Scerri.

Hibernians, now firmly in second place in the table, keep putting in various youngsters in their team. Edmond Agius has nearly become a regular. Haruna Doda has still to show his best for Hibernians and this augurs well for the next round.

The defence looked frail against Hibernains' raids and agility of Scerri, Cohen and Doda and committed too many mistakes. Goalkeeper Omar Borg is still short of last season's inspiring form which proves detrimental in such circumstances.

Birkirkara remain enigmatic. Last Saturday they looked to be cruising smoothly towards an easy win against newly promoted Mosta after taking a three-goal lead in a devastating 15-minute burst before half time.

But a revitalized Mosta side after the interval put Birkirkara on the defensive. It is hard to understand how the Stripes allowed themselves to be put under so much pressure in the second 45 minutes and were it not for some profligacy by the Mosta players, Bilocca and Nwoko in particular, Birkirkara would have not survived. At the end it was a laborious 3-2 win for Birkirkara, who lacked defensive soundness and need some reinforcements if they want to stake a serious claim of being title contenders.

Marsaxlokk continue to bowl along nicely in the slipstream of the leading group as they move up to fourth place after beating Pieta Hotspurs. Last Sunday they carried too much ammunition for a young inexperienced, yet depleted opponents,and duly punished them with a clear 4-1 win.

To their relief, Soares Gomes has finally broken the duck with a well taken hat-trick. This new Marsaxlokk striker had been given little chance to prove himself so far but on Sunday he showed all his attacking qualities and that is an added asset to the Southseasiders already prolific striking force. Many believe Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia is already working wonders for Marsaxlokk, lifting some of the earlier gloom although more stern tests await the team.

Pieta Hotspurs were deprived of their anchor man at the back, David Camenzuli who was also sorely missed. Besides, Italian striker Sciuto is still not fit to play and that makes a lot of difference for a young Pieta team, with very limited resources. As the end of the first round looms, they are heading for a place in the lower ranks of the table.

In Monday’s match, Gaetan Spiteri and Okoro ripped the Valletta defence apart, giving Hamrun Spartans an important and surprise win.

Rather surprising was the way Hamrun dominated their opponents especially in midfield. In fact JJ Aquilina’s boys lost the battle in this vital sector, were Magri Overend, Fenech and Rupert mangion proved too much for Bondin and Keith Fenech.

Valletta’s youngster Bezzina disappointing after a string of impressive performances. Chukunyere in his debut, although scoring a useless goal, showed that he is far from his best form. However he can still prove to be fundamental for the Citizens.

Player of the week

Cleaven Frendo (Marsaxlokk)

The choice of Player of the week goes to Cleaven Frendo of Marsaxlokk. This under 21 international is proving himself to be one of the most talented players around at present. He keeps showing consistency in his play, no matter if Marsaxlokk win or lose, also scoring important goals for his side. He is undoubtedly one of the most enterprising players in the Premier League. He failed to find the net last Sunday against Pieta Hotspurs, yet he was involved in all four of his side's goals, with his intelligent runs, dribbles and delivery. He also went close on a couple of accasions, albeit playing against his first love. Keeping a cool head, Frendo is destined to become one of the local leading footballers - his introduction to the Malta senior squad is imminent and Cleaven has all the qualities to make his presence a long lasting one.

The top scorers

7 - A. Cohen (Hibernians), D. Doncic (Sliema), D. Bogdanovic (Sliema)

6 - G. Spiteri (Hamrun), D. Nwoke (Msida)

5 - M. Galea (Birkirkara), C. Frendo (Marsaxlokk), M. Deanov (Pieta)

4 - T. Scerri (Hibernians), U. Nwoko (Mosta), I. Woods (Sliema)

3 - A. Zahra (Birkirkara), M. Calascion (Birkirkara), I. Ciantar (Floriana), M. Okoro (Hamrun), D. Camilleri (Hibernians), I. Chibueze (Mosta), R. Bajada (Msida), I. Babatunde (Msida), W. Gomes (marsaxlokk), M. Licari (Marsaxlokk), S. Bajada (Marsaxlokk), C. Sciuto (Pieta), J. Brincat (Sliema), I. Zammit (Valletta)