Birkirkara - 5, Tarxien Rainbows - 1

Birkirkara extended their positive streak with a crushing 5-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows in today’s opening match at the Hibs Stadium.

Thanks to this emphatic success, Birkirkara have stayed in touch with the frontrunners as the Stripes are only two points behind leaders Qormi and just one adrift of Valletta.

After a quiet start, Birkirkara began to dictate matters around the half-hour mark. Shaun Bajada’s rising shot was deflected away for a corner from which Trevor Cilia teed up Alan Tabone whose well-struck cross-shot forced Tarxien goalkeeper David Cassar into a fine save.

Cilia then lifted the ball over the bar after getting on the end of a Comvalius cross but nine minutes from the end of the first half, Birkirkara stormed ahead. Defender Nikola Vukanac was in the right place to head Bajada’s corner past Cassar.

Birkirkara increased their advantage 14 minutes into the second half when Sylvano Comvalius converted a penalty after Steve Sadowski tripped Cilia in the box.

Tarxien reduced the arrears through Denni who was picked out by Martk Tanti but Birkirkara regained their two-goal lead when captain Michael Galea headed Bajada’s cross past Cassar.

Eight minutes from time, man-of-the-match Comvalius converted his second penalty, given for a handsball by Luke Vella Critien.

Tarxien were also awarded a penalty after Angus Buhagiar brought down Denni but the latter’s tame effort was beaten away by Mora.

In stoppage time, substitute Karl Pulo completed Tarxien’s rout when scoring Birkirkara’s fifth goal with a low shot.