Birkirkara-Valletta 1-3

Birkirkara: J. Mora, A. Scicluna, T. Paris, P. Fenech, T. Cilia, M. Galea, R. Hartvig, S. Comvalius (C. Pulo), S. Bajada (A. Buhagiar), J. Zerafa, G. Mallia (A. Tabone).

Valletta: A.Hogg, R. Briffa, K. Scicluna, L. Dimech, G. Agius, J. Pace, J. Cruyff (S. Giglio), D. Falzon (S. Bezzina), D. Priso, G. den Ouden (E. Agius), T. Scerri.

Referee: P. Caruana Asst. refs: K. Borg, M. Debono 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: G. den Ouden, S. Comvalius, T. Scerri (2)

Yellow cards: S. Bajada, D. Priso, J. Cruyff, E. Agius

Player of the match: Terence Scerri (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. D. Priso, 2. T. Scerri, 3. T. Cilia

Championship favourites Valletta had a good start yesterday in the league opener as they defeated rivals Birkirkara 3-1 with Terence Scerri's brace in the second half turning the tide in their favour.

It was a deserved victory as the Lillywhites showed all, or a good part of their potential. There is certainly room for improvement but Tom Caanen's side will be a hard nut to crack this season.

Valletta's first half left much to be desired as they were continuously caught on the wrong foot in defence. Caanen's introduction of Steve Bezzina did the trick, as Valletta looked a more balanced and blended side. Terence Scerri had a very good debut for Valletta as he scored two decisive goals, and is the striker Valletta had been wanting for years.

Although losing their opener Paul Zammit's Birkirkara gave a very good account of themselves, and only threw in the towel after suffering the third goal.

They were tactically better than their opponents in the first half, but faded out miserably near the end and could have suffered a heavier defeat. Spanish goalkeeper Mora, who left a good impression in the Stripes' pre-season friendlies, failed to live to his expectations, even though he was not at fault in the three goals suffered.

Valletta held the early initiative but Birkirkara had the first with a dangerous Trevor Cilia cross shot that created panic in the Valletta rearguard. On ten minutes Cilia was again dangerous on the right flanks as Valletta's three-man defence was easily stretched by the Stripes' long crosses.

Two minutes later den Ouden had his first try for Valletta testing Mora with a low shot. Two minutes later Thomas Paris headed away the danger practically from the goal line following a Priso cross. On 24 minutes the Lillywhites had their best chance when Cruyff passed towards Terence Scerri whose first timer was well saved by Mora.

A minute later Valletta took the lead when Priso made his way on the right before crossing towards the unmarked Geert den Ouden who easily headed home from close range. The Stripes almost equalised a minute later but Dyson Falzon cleared the danger.

On 33 minutes the Stripes were dangerous again through Trevor Cilia who blasted well over the bar. Three minutes later Birkirkara were back on level terms when new signing Sylvano Comvalius completely unmarked on the far post headed past Hogg a precise Thomas Paris cross from the right.

No changes were made in the interval with Valletta dangerous on the resumption with a den Ouden header. Tom Caanen made his first change on 50 minutes with Steve Bezzina in for Falzon in an attempt to halt Trevor Cilia's menacing runs. Jamie Pace tried his luck from the edge of the area and on 57 minutes Valletta regained the lead. It was a gift goal as Hartvig failed to clear a harmless cross from Steve Bezzina, and Terence Scerri made no mistake to score his first goal for the Citizens. Paul Zammit introduced Alan Tabone for George Mallia. On 65 minutes Gilbert Agius first timed slightly over the bar another good cross from Steve Bezzina.

Four minutes later last season's top scorer was on the mark again when he received the ball from Rodrick Briffa, and after some neat control of the ball he fired past a helpless Mora.

Valletta were now all over their opponents and Luke Dimech missed a sitter in front of goal, with Priso, Gilgert Agius, and Edmond Agius going near too, as the Stripes' defence was ripped apart by the rampant Citizens.