Birkirkara produced an extraordinary three-goal burst in the first half to secure their first victory over Sliema Wanderers this season.

The game was over as a contest after just 26 minutes as the Stripes made the most of Sliema’s defensive woes with three goals in three minutes to all but seal the three points and ensure a return to winning ways after their 1-0 loss to Floriana in their previous league match.

Sliema’s Clayton Failla fired wide from a good position after eight minutes. At the other end, Birkirkara striker Sylvano Comvalius should have done better than head wide of the far post after George Mallia’s cross found him unmarked. The opening exchanges were balanced.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza miscued his lob after being put through by Mark Scerri who, minutes later, fired over. Birkirkara’s response yielded spectacular dividends. Simon Agius, the Sliema goalkeeper, denied Michael Galea with a point-blank save but on 21 minutes, the Stripes opened the scoring. Shaun Bajada made a good run before picking out Trevor Cilia who drilled a low shot past Agius.

Hardly a minute passed and Birkirkara went 2-0 up, Galea heading home from a measured cross by Cilia. Two minutes later, Birkirkara made it 3-0. Mallia crossed for Comvalius who blasted home.

Sliema pushed more men upfield in the second half in the hope of reopening the issue but their toothless pressure was easily weathered by Birkirkara who came closest to increasing their lead.

Sylvano Comvalius had a shot blocked by defender Ian Azzopardi and, 16 minutes from time, substitute Alan Tabone just missed the target with a grounder. Birkirkara’s winger Cilia was named player of the match.