SLIEMA WANDERERS-3, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-0
Bulgarian forward Danail Mitev scored a brace to inspire Sliema Wanderers to a 3-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows in today's opening game at the Hibs Stadium.
Sliema's victory was their first in six games while Tarxien suffered their first defeat since Patrick Curmi replaced Noel Coleiro as coach.
In the first minute, Sliema midfielder Mark Scerri drove wide. The Wanderers threatened again when David Cassar's punched clearance from Beppe Muscat's cross fell to Jackson Lima but the latter's tame chip was saved by the back-tracking Tarxien goalkeeper.
The Rainbows were unlucky not to forge ahead as Ricardo's low strike hit the base of the post.
The early exchanges were balanced as both teams adopted an attacking approach.'
Jorge, Sliema's Brazilian forward, went close with a dangerous shot that flew past the far post but Tarxien were quick to respond. Carl Sammut supplied a good cross from the left and Lee Galea's header was deflected into the path of Anonam but out came Anthony Curmi to push away the Tarxien midfielder's far-post effort.
From their ensuing attack, Sliema scored. Jackson Lima cut in from the right but fell in the penalty box after being tackled by Stefan Giglio. The Tarxien defender claimed that the Brazilian had dived but referee Glenn Tonna ordered a penalty and Mitev made no mistake.
The Rainbows, who had been on a par with Sliema in the initial stages, might have scored an instant equaliser as Ricardo Costa teed up Anonam who blasted high.
Two minutes from half-time, Jackson Lima tried to surprise Cassar with a fierce free-kick from the distance but the Tarxien goalkeeper punched the ball away.
Sliema doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Sliema broke on the counter, Jorge powering clear on the left before passing to Frendo whose effort was blocked by Everton. The loose ball rolled to Jorge whose shot was cleared off the line by Giglio but the Brazilian scored from the rebound.
Tarxien claimed that Justin Grioli had been fouled in the action leading to Sliema's second goal but their protests were waved away by the match officials.
Scoring chances were rare at the start of the second half. Cassar did well to fist away Jackson Lima's corner and, at the other end, Bueno pulled the ball back for Ryan Mintoff but the Tarxien substitute hit wide from outside the box.
A Sliema counter-attack opened up Tarxien as Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, who had come on as a substitute, advanced on the left before passing to Mitev who evaded Tarxien's offside trap but the Bulgarian's chip was off target.
Mitev made amends for his miss as, with 18 minutes remaining, he produced a rising shot that sailed above Cassar, hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped into the net.
Doncic's men threatened to increase their lead Tarxien as Cassar failed to hold Jackson Lima's free-kick but the Tarxien custodian redeemed himself by blocking Mifsud Triganza's follow-up.
In the dying moments, Mitev should have had hat-trick but, having traded passes with Mifsud Triganza, sent his shot wide of the far post.
Jorge then set up Mifsud Triganza who fired just wide as Sliema continued to make the most of the open spaces in Tarxien's defence.
Mitev was voted BOV player of the match.