Msida SJ-Birkirkara 5-1
Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha (S. Vella), S. Grima, J. Mifsud, T. Farrugia, P. Pullicino (C. Sciberras), I. Babatunde, P. Fenech, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo, R. Baldacchino (D. Cachia)
Birkirkara: S. Sullivan, M.A. Bonnici, L. Galea, R. Sammut (C. Micallef), W. Camenzuli (H. Sbai), M. Calascione (A. Tabone), K. Scicluna, A. Paradiso, J.P. Mifsud Triganaza, G. Mallia, G. Gallovic
Referee: A. M. Sant Asst refs: A. Camilleri, Ms E. Farrugia 4th official: S. Tanti
Scorers: D. Nwoke (2), O. Zongo, G. Gallovica, P. Fenech, I. Babatunde
Yellow cards: R. Sammut, M.A. Bonnici, P. Pullicino, A. Tabone
Red cards: K. Scicluna, O. Zongo
Player of the match: Daniel Nwoke (Msida SJ)
TMI top three: 1. D. Nwoke 2. P. Pullicino 3. P. Fenech
Msida's early impressive form continued yesterday with their impressive victory over reigning champions Birkirkara. They now go on top of the standings, the only side with maximum points from two matches.
Daniel Nwoke was the central figure in their victory scoring a brace but Msida won because they looked unified, coherent and full of promise. Patrick Curmi's revolution is in full swing.
For Birkirkara, sporting an unusual orange and black outfit, the sense of unease was palpable. Surely they are still weakened by many absences but they were outplayed and outfought in virtually every area yesterday and the match always looked to end in frustration for the champions.
Msida's explosive start, with Baldacchino's goal-bound diagonal drive cleared off the line by Gallovic and Pullicino shooting narrowly over, left Birkirkara hardly any time to settle.
With Babatunde creating space, Zongo probing for weaknesses with his marauding runs from the right and Nwoke moving menacingly in pursuit of openings, the pressure was sure to tell on the Birkirkara back four.
When the champions looked to have abated the tide, Msida struck towards the quarter hour. Mifsud found the perfect space to send in a low cross from near the corner flag for the unmarked Daniel Nwoke to beat keeper Sullivan with a low diagonal drive.
With Birkirkara failing to take the grip in midfield where Paradiso looked only a peripheral figure, Msida kept up their dominance. Midway through the half Nwoke persisted with a solo move, ran towards the middle but shot slightly over.
Towards the half hour, Birkirkara collapsed to concede the second goal. Nwoke advanced on Pullicino's headed pass forward. His flick towards goal was parried by the grounded Sullivan for Zongo to tap in the loose ball.
Shortly before the break, Birkirkara put in their third foreigner, Sbai for Camenzuli and on 43 minutes, Msida's keeper Borg allowed Guido Gallovic's shot from outside the area to slip off his grip, surprisingly putting Birkirkara back in contention.
Scicluna and Zongo received their marching orders just before the break after a slight skirmish between the two.
Within the hour the Saints took a three-goal lead. Sullivan could not hold Babatunde's meaty free-kick from the edge of the area on 52 minutes and Paul Fenech was quick to shoot in the loose ball. Six minutes later, Pullicino's through ball from midfield was picked by Daniel Nwoke, who turned to shoot low past a stranded Sullivan.
With the Birkirkara backline struggling to keep their composure, Msida continued to create openings but Nwoke and Babatunde squandered more opportunities until the latter got some reward, scoring his side's fifth on 77 minutes after rounding the keeper and shooting in past two opponents as Msida remained the more potent attacking force.