An own goal by John Mintoff in the first half gave Naxxar Lions three precious points yesterday.

The Lions have now moved to the 10-point mark just three points behind the same Wanderers. It was their second consecutive win, thus ending the first round on a very positive note.

On their part, Sliema suffered a second consecutive defeat, but what was more disappointing for their fans was the poor performance of most of their players with only Mangiacasale showing glimpses of good form.

Stephen Azzopardi had to do without the suspended Pisanu but Paltemio Barbetti made a welcome return to the side.

On the other hand, Naxxar coach Jesmond Zerafa had all players at his disposal.

In the first half, exchanges were shared equally. Neither side dominated and play was entertaining with the two sides being attack-minded right from the first whistle.

At the end of the first 45 minutes, with Naxxar leading 1-0, the score might be considered surprising by some, but to be fair, the Lions did not rob anything. They gave as much as they got and perhaps even had more scoring chances than the Wanderers.

Sliema also played the ball well along the ground only to be found wanting in their conclusions. In fact, these were poor - I think they could have avoided trying their luck from certain long distances as was the case with Mifsud and Gnabouyou.

In the second half, Sliema gave everyone the impression that they would be doing their best to get back on level terms.

But after a promising start, they faded away as Naxxar contained them so well that goalie Azzopardi was never seriously tested.

At the end, Naxxar emerged winners on their own merits, even if it had to be an own goal to decide the issue in their favour.

Sliema quickly went on the offensive and on the second minute, a Mangiacasale shot was blocked to a corner by Scicluna.

Five minutes later, it was again Mangiacasale who had a shot blocked, the ball returned to him and squared low for Gueye to hit low. But goalie Azzopardi was on hand to block his effort.

At the other end, Naxxar replied through a Ribeiro shot that was saved by Zammit. And on the 10^th minute, Eminike's cross-shot passed in front of the Sliema goal finding no takers, as did a Ribeiro cross soon after.

In the 19^th minute, Sliema went close through a Scozzese shot that went just wide.

In the 27^th minute, Naxxar threatened seriously through a Falzon shot destined for the back of the net, but Martinelli somehow managed to block the ball to safety.

In the 33^rd minute, Sliema also went close through a Paltemio cross. The ball landed on the crossbar and was cleared away. Ribeiro got hold of it in midfield and after advancing, passed towards Emenike, but it was Sliema's John Mintoff who got first to the ball unfortunately sending it past his goalie and into his own net.

Soon after the start of the second half, it was Mangiacasale who set Michael Mifsud, but the Malta striker hit wide from a good position.

In the 54^th minute, substitute Potezika had a shot going well over the bar.

On the hour, Naxxar went close to a second goal when Ribeiro's freekick passed inches away from the upright.

Sliema ended in 10 men on 82 minutes as Scozzese was dismissed after a second yellow card, following a foul on Emenike.

Sliema had a chance on 90 minutes when they were awarded a freekick on the edge of the area, but Trevor Cilia's shot went well over the bar.

At the other end, in a fast counter-attack, Naxxar missed a golden opportunity to make sure of the three points, when Ribeiro set substitute Terence Vella who, however, lifted the ball well over the bar from an ideal position.

Valletta registered a third consecutive victory yesterday as they comfortably beat bottom placed Zebbug Rangers.

The victory enabled Valletta to go on 19 points, nine below league leaders Hibernians and two below second placed Birkirkara. Of course, Hibernians and Birkirkara have today's match in hand.

Not that Valletta left a good impression. Once again they struggled against a 10-man Zebbug side which fought admirably considering their limitations.

Despite their win, the citizens were a far cry from that team of a few seasons ago which dominated the local football scene. Yesterday, even against the league's bottom club, they showed lack of coordination and determination, although their performance somewhat improved in the second half.

Zebbug must have been aware that they were facing a difficult task, but their plight became even harder when they had to play in 10 men for a full 65 minutes after their midfielder Thomas Paris was sent off in the 25^th minute.

The defeat means that they are still searching for their first win of the season after a whole first round.

For the first time this season, Valletta had Ivan Zammit, their former midfielder, as assistant to Gilbert Agius, even though his designation on the official line-up was that of club official.

In the first half, Valletta were a superior outfit and dominated for most of the time especially after Zebbug had Thomas Paris red carded after just 25 minutes soon after Valletta had taken the lead from a disputed penalty kick.

The citizens once again struggled to get past the amassed Zebbug defence which defended stubbornly all the way.

On their part, the Rangers, tried to get back into the match through the counter break, but they rarely, if ever tested goalie Vella.

In the second period, Valletta, as expected, continued to dominate and finally started to play better, creating some good chances before Nafti eventually scored a second goal which gave them a better cushion.

From then on, Zebbug seemed to have thrown in the towel although they contrived to create two scoring chances before the end.

The match had a rather quiet start with Valetta dictating play in midfield but rarely appearing capable of penetrating the Zebbug rearguard.

The first shot arrived on the 17^th minute, but Ryan Fenech hit badly and well wide of the target.

Two minutes later, it was Zebbug who threatened through a Carlo Monti rising shot which just missed the target.

A minute later, Valletta were awarded a disputed penalty by referee Arciola who must have been advised by the assistant referee. Sohna appeared to go down when tackled by Yessous Camilleri. The decision appeared to be a little too harsh against the Rangers player. Hamza Barry converted the spot-kick though Morales almost saved the shot.

Zebbug's woes deepened on the 26^th minute when Thomas Paris was deemed to have fouled Roderick Briffa recklessly and the official quickly showed the Zebbug midfielder a red card, leaving his team ploughing in 10 men for the rest of the match.

The citizens dominated, but with Zebbug defending with all their might - and all their players - Valletta could not find their way towards Morales.

However, they should have scored again on the 43^rd minute when off an Azzopardi low cross, the ball was cleared out to the unmarked Elford Alliyu, but the latter lifted the ball well over the bar from six metres.

Seven minutes into the second half, it was Alliyou who tried his luck for the citizens, but the ball went wide. A few seconds later, from a Terra cross, Briffa's header went a few inches wide.

The goal was in the offing and it arrived in the 54^th minute. Alliyou set Nafti and the city striker lobbed the ball over Morales to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Barry brought the best out of Morales on 64 minutes

Zebbug's only efforts in this half arrived late - a Carlo Monti effort which sailed harmlessly over the bar in the 73^rd minute and a Matthew Bartolo incursion soon after ending with a shot that Vella turned with difficulty to a corner.

Seven minutes from the end, Valletta missed another excellent opportunity as Roderick Briffa lobbed over the onrushing Morales, but the ball went just wide of the post.