Hibernians-Birkirkara 2-1

A dramatic goal with practically the last kick of the match gave Hibernians their second win of the campaign. On the other hand their opponents Birkirkara after taking the lead in the first half were outclassed in the second period with the Paolites inflicting the killer blow in the 96th minute.

After winning their first match against Gżira United, Hibernians failed to keep up the momentum and were held into a 2-2 draw by Zabbar SP. Birkirkara kept two clean sheet in their opening matches but failed to find the net when opposed by Valletta and Gzira United.

Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic made three changes from their last match with Duane Bonnici and Silva Dos Santos given their debut with Lima Duarte the other change. They were drafted instead of the injured Jurgen Degabriele together with Aiden Zammit and Pablo de Lima.

On the other hand one change made by Birkirkara caretaker coach Alessandro Caridi with Franklin Sasere starting instead of Geoffrey Acheampong.

The first shot materialized in the 22nd minute when Reid set Jan Busuttil whose shot just sailed over the bar. Four minutes later the Stripes took the lead thus scoring their first seasonal goal when a good run by Kemar Reid ended with the Birkirkara forward finding the corner of the net with a shot from the edge of the area.

The Stripes missed the chance to double their lead two minutes later when a cross from the left by Morello found Sasere completely unmarked and the Nigerian striker with only Haber to beat blasted the ball over the bar.

Nearing the end of the first half it was once again B'Kara who went close when Sasere's shot went inches wide.

On resumption the Stripes kept the same pattern and a Macula shot was punched away by Haber.  The Paolites responded through a Villela shot which was saved by goalkeeper Martinez.

And in the 54th minute Hibernians could have levelled matters when Villela dribbled around the Stripes defence but was blocked when trying to round the opposing goalkeeper.

Hibernians were now mounting pressure and they reaped dividends in the 68th minute when off a corner by Pedro Da Silva in came Teixeira who rose above everyone and headed into the corner of the net. This was the first goal conceeded by goalkeeper Martinez after 249 minutes.

Ten minutes from the end a Mendonca low drive was saved by Martinez. The Paolites were now dominating and a minute later Mendonca failed to connect when in front of goal.

When the match seemed to be ending in a draw Mendonca broke through and after a fine run fired the ball past a helpless Martinez for a dramatic winner.

Floriana-Gzira 1-1

Floriana and Gzira United took a point each from the first match played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium from Matchday 3. It was a balanced affair with the first half being more entertaining than the second forty five minutes.

In fact it was only deep into added time that both teams could have snatched a win.

Floriana went into this match with a perfect record after winning their first two games against Naxxar Lions and Tarxien Rainbows respectively. Not the same can be said of Gżira who were still in search of their first win after losing against Hibernians and drawing their last match against Birkirkara.

The Maroons started brightly and after just seven minutes a low drive from an acute angle by Penha Da Costa just missed the target. Floriana responded a minute later when off a Jake Grech corner Mendonca headed just wide off the mark.

Gżira took the lead on 11 minutes when a well executed free kick by Maxuell Maia beat goalkeeper Da Silva all ends up. The Greens reaction was an immediate one and six minutes later they were on level terms. Rui Areias being set up by Varela.and with great coolness drafted the ball into the net.

It was now Floriana who were holding the upper hand and midway through the first half following a corner from the right side Areias header just scraped the bar.

Ten minutes from the break a long cross from the right flank found Areias who headed towards Varela but the latters header was a soft one which Sargent saved with ease.

Six minutes into the second half Gżira United threatened when Silva made his way down the left flank and after entering the area his shot caused havoc but his conclusion was finally cleared by the Floriana rearguard.

In the 63rd minute Teixeira could have done better went after finding space in the opposing area tried a shot which was easy prey for Sargent.

For long stretches play was restricted to the midfield sector with neither team being of the threat. A number of substitutions from both sides didn't make the much needed positive change.

In added time first it was Floriana who had a shot from Mustapha which was turned onto a corner by the Gzira custodian. And a few seconds later the Maroons had their appeals for a penalty turned down when Brooklyn Borg appeared to be fouled on shooting with his conclusion ending wide.