Hamrun Spartans are the sole leaders after the second day of the campaign. Their second consecutive 3-1 win, this time over Tarxien Rainbows, sees them on maximum points, two ahead of Hibernians and Valletta, who have four after sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Friday.
It was a disastrous second match for the champions. Birkirkara suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a revived Floriana side which clearly deserved to emerge winners.
Qormi also registered their first win as they beat the already bottom placed Vittoriosa Stars, while for Sliema it was a first point of the season after a goalless draw with Marsaxlokk who thus obtained a second point.
The Spartans fully merited their win against Tarxien Rainbows as they were the better side on the field of play. But despite their two convincing wins, we still have to see the leaders in action against a top side. Only then will one be able to make a serious assessment of this team which has been a pleasant surprise so far.
There is no doubt, however, that Hamrun are an improved side over that seen last season. The return of David Camilleri and Ryan Fenech has enabled the side to reach higher standards.
Tarxien disappointed their followers. After their opening draw against Marsaxlokk the previous week, one expected them to improve, but instead, they failed to click and performed badly all the way.
There is no doubt that coach Noel Coleiro still has a lot of problems to solve before the Rainbows can reach the same heights achieved last season.
The match of the week between Valletta and Hibernians lacked any top class football, but the two sets of players showed great determination and commitment to make it a keenly contested encounter.
Here I must comment on the unsporting rivalry between the two sets of fans on the terraces. Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat was the target of the Valletta fans who hurled all sorts of insults at his direction right from the team’s entry onto the pitch of play. From the other end, one could also hear – in reply - insults directed at the Valletta fans from the Paola club supporters. Such behaviour does not induce football loving enthusiasts to watch local Premier matches. Moreover, one cannot call that real support for their favourites!
In my opinion, that was certainly not sporting rivalry either. It was a big slap in the face for the MFA’s new administration which is doing its utmost to increase attendances at the Stadium to give local football a new lease of life.
As to the match itself, it was boring in the opening 40 minutes as ball possession seemed to be the order of the day.
It exploded into life when Valletta opened the scoring from a penalty on the 41st minute. That was followed soon after by two quick Hibs goals which gave the Paolites a 2-1 half-time lead.
In the second half, Valletta fought back gamely, but could not find a way past a well organised Hibs defence in which Matt Clark was a veritable tower of strength.
I cannot also not mention the fine performance of Edward Herrera. He is a player of great talent, given full confidence by coach Mark Miller who is responding magnificently. I am sure we will hear a lot more about this youngster in future.
For the Greens, it was a very encouraging performance in which all players gave their valid contribution.
Credit goes to Floriana coach Todor Raykov whose tactical ploy was almost perfect – a well organised defence and attacking through fast breakaways which had the Stripes defence at sixes and sevens. Had Floriana taken the chances that came their way, they would have ascertained themselves of the points much before than the final few minutes.
It has been a long time since their suffering supporters had seen the side play such good football.
Tunisian goalkeeper Lotfi Saidi, with some good saves and interceptions, and those in front of him, kept the Stripes at bay as the Greens sailed comfortably towards their first three points of the season.
Sliema and Marsaxlokk showed a little progress over their performances of the previous week, but they still did not convince anyone that they will be challenging for the honours, contrary to pre-season predictions.
The two teams played their best football in the second half. After a boring first half which produced nothing spectacular, both had a few chances to break the deadlock in the second half, but still the two sets of strikers were found wanting in front of compact defences.
On Saturday, Qormi made the most of a poor Vittoriosa Stars defensive setup as they romped to a 4-2 win without, however, setting any houses on fire.
The yellow blacks suffered an early setback after the Stars took an early lead, but at least they showed character in fighting back to lead 3-1 at the interval. Then they also kept their calm after Ewurum scored a second goal for the Stars to bring them back into contention.
Both teams will have to strengthen their ranks if they are entertaining hopes of avoiding the relegation pool.
Best player
Matt Clarke (Hibernians)
The Hibs central defender Matt Clarke is my pick this week after his five-star performance in the 2-2 draw against Valletta on Friday evening.
The towering defender had already left his mark in the club’s 3-1 against Floriana the previous week, but this time, he not only played a blinder in defence, but also produced a great header to equalise for the Paolites before Herrera gave them the lead soon after.
True that he was on the ball with Scerri on the occasion of Valletta’s penalty award. But I have my doubts as to whether he committed a foul on that occasion.
There is no doubt that Clark is bound to prove himself as one of the best foreigners in this year’s Premier League. If he maintains such form, the Paolites will be able to play with more confidence to challenge seriously for the title.
The scorers
3 goals – G. Mallia (Qormi)
2 goals – P. McManus (Hibernians), M. Galea (Birkirkara), M. Pereira, D. Shields (both Hamrun S.), A. Ewurum (Vittoriosa S.)
1 goal – R. Darmanin (Floriana), K. Sammut, D. Falzon, I. Zammit, D. Rochda dos Santos, T. Scerri (all Valletta), J. Lima Sequeira (Sliema), T. Vella, E. Lattes (both Birkirkara), T. Caruana (Hibernians), R. Mangion, M. Grima (Hamrun S.), C. dos Santos Rodrigues (Tarxien), E. Herrera, M. Clarke (both Hibernians), J. Farrugia (Qormi), M. Mecerod, K. Dzhorov (both Floriana), K. Bjedov (Qormi)
Next matches
(all matches at Ta’ Qali)
Friday 24 September
7.30pm Hibernians-Birkirkara
Saturday 25 September
5pm Tarxien R.-Vittoriosa S.
7pm Valletta-Qormi
Sunday 26 September
5pm Floriana-Marsaxlokk
7pm Sliema W.-Hamrun S.