SLIEMA 3 BIRKIRKARA 1

Birkirkara surrendered their 100 per cent record when they tasted their first defeat of the season, at the hands of the much-improved Sliema, after a run of four consecutive victories.

The game was a lesson for Paul Zammit's team who looked unable to muster the necessary energy to trouble Alfonso Greco's side. Officials from Luxembourg took charge of this match as part of a twinning agreement signed between the Malta FA and their Luxembourg counterparts Laurent Kopriwa was referee, Claudio de Carolis and Christophe Pires his assistants. Frank Bourgnon was the fourth official.

Sliema coach Alfonso Greco made no fewer than four changes to the side that started last week's 2-1 defeat to Qormi, one of which was enforced due to Mark Scerri's injury, with Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Luca Martinelli, Beppe Muscat and Argentine newcomer Ariel Laudisi all given the chance to underline their case for starting berth at the expense of Josef Mifsud, John Mintoff and Alain Faccini who had to settle for a place on the bench.

The Wanderers were ahead after only seven minutes. Martinelli's pass allowed Ivan Woods to escape the attentions of the Birkirkara rearguard. He used all his touch and technique to sweep a glorious shot into the top-right corner from outside the box.

In next to no time, Sliema doubled their lead.  Laudisi released a through-ball to Matias Muchardi as he slid a finish behind Reuben Gauci.

Those early goals must have felt like a cold shower for Birkirkara who hardly got a glimpse of Sliema's goal. In the only noteworthy attack just before the break, Paul Fenech dashed unimpeded into the box but his shot was fractionally wide.

Whatever the Birkikara coach said at half-time, it did not work as Sliema made it 3-0 just after the interval. After 48 minutes, a corner by Paltemio Barbetti fell to Alex Muscat but his shot was blocked on the line by a bundle of bodies that included Mendoza, Vukanac and Joseph Zerafa. Referee Kopriwa incurred the wrath of the Birkirkara players after opting to award the goal.

Fuelled by their fury, Birkirkara surged forward and gave themselves slim hopes after 56 minutes when Shodiya's precise low cross released Rowen Muscat as he rolled the ball into an empty net.