TARXIEN RAINBOWS-0, BIRKIRKARA-4

Birkirkara maintained their perfect start to the season after beating Tarxien Rainbows 4-0 in a largely one-sided game at the Hibernians Stadium.

Coming from a similar 4-0 victory over St Andrew's in their opener, Birkirkara proved two strong for the sloppy Tarxien, scoring two goals in each half for their second win in as many matches.

Birkirkara were off to a great start, breaking the stalemate after three minutes.

Srdan Dimitrov's cross, from a free-kick, flew into the box and Vito Plut appeared to slice his header past Andrea Cassar.

The Tarxien goalkeeper then denied Birkirkara second goal when parrying away Frank Temile's close-range attempt but Birkirkara doubled their advantage on 16 minutes.

They were awarded a free-kick after Alex Alves tripped the advancing Temile just outside the box and Dimitrov's swerving drive flashed into the top corner with Cassar completely beaten.

Birkirkara's pressure receded as the opening half moved on but Tarxien failed to capitalise.

They had to wait until three minutes to create their first chance as debutant Rogelio passed to Alex Nilsson in the box but the latter's effort was turned away by Miroslav Kopric.

Cassar, the Tarxien goalkeeper, fisted away Dimitrov's dangerous cross-shot, from a free-kick.

Nilsson should have narrowed the deficit for the Rainbows when Pedro's cross found him unmarked in the box but the Swedish strike incredibly hit straight at Kopric.

Tarxien would come to rue this miss as, three minutes past the hour, Plut surged clear on the counter before passing Temile who side-footed the ball home.

Three became four when Plut, again cutting in from the right, set up captain Gareth Sciberras who slotted home.

Pedro hit wide for Tarxien for whom Alves, one of their better players, fired against the side-netting as they pushed for a consolation goal.

Plut, the Birkirkara striker, was named BOV player of the match.