GFA Division One leaders Għajnsielem consolidated their lead at the top of the standings after beating champions Xewkija Tigers 4-0 in the first match from the second round of the championship.
The Blacks are now four points clear at the top of the standings with Victoria Hotspurs third, a further point adrift but with a game in hand.
The match lived up to its expectations as Xewkija produced the better play during the first half with Daniel Bogdanovic and Thiago Melo Dos Santos very much in the thick of the action but with keeper Franklin Vella alert to keep his net intact.
Għajnsielem looked a more determined lot after the break and soon seized command of play.
They opened a two-goal lead, through a Joseph Vella double in the space of two minutes (53, 55), as he profited from some hesitant defending by Xewkija.
The Tigers could have reduced the score on 65 minutes but a Bogdanovic free-kick hit the post.
But the Blacks never lost composure and went on to seal victory with two other goals through Dhonatan Santos Da Hora (79) and substitute Kenny Hili (81).
In the other match from the top flight, SK Victoria Wanderers won three precious points following a 1-0 win in a basement clash against St Lawrence Spurs.
St Lawrence ventured forward more often than their opponents but the Wanderers were solid at the back and scored the winner on 42 minutes through Eric Nwankwo.
The Spurs doubled their efforts in the second half to avoid defeat and had a golden opportunity to level the scores on 74 minutes but Dennis di Maio saw his penalty parried by Branko Vrndic.
From the rebound, substitute Christopher Cauchi blasted high with an open goal at his mercy.
Division Two
Leaders Xagħra United were in a class of their own as they beat lowly Żebbuġ Rovers 4-0 to chalk up a fifth win from seven matches.
The Blues scored an early goal through Luke Attard and made sure of the win thanks to a hat-trick by Oliver Farrugia.
The Rovers ended the match with ten players when Fabian Xuereb was booked a second time on 77 minutes.
In another match, Għarb Rangers move to a more respectable place in the league standings after a 5-0 win over Qala Saints.
The main protagonist here was striker Paul Anthony Attard.
He scored all five goals for his team as Qala were reduced to ten players on 70 minutes when Ray George Cassar was sent off for a second bookable offence.