Champions Hibernians obtained the 100th victory in their history on Sunday when they defeated Mosta 1-0 in a match from the 2004-2005 league trek. Raiders opened their account thanks to a 2-1 success over Rabat Ajax in the other game played last weekend.
Having started the season with a bang in the shape of a 17-0 annihilation of newcomers Sta Venera, Hibernians were gunning for their second consecutive victory when they squared up to Mosta. Although the champions grabbed the initiative from the initial whistle, they found it hard to break down the solid Mosta defence.
The best goalscoring opportunities of the first half came Hibernians' way through Dorianne Theuma, Sarah Caruana and Ylenia Carabott. Their perseverance drew its just rewards a minute into the second half when they hit what proved to be the winner.
Caruana began the move by retrieving possession in the Mosta half before passing to Theuma who instantly served the ball to the advancing Kathleen Saliba. The Hibs striker ran past a Mosta defender before drilling a low shot past Karen Camilleri.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Jane Coates of Mosta had a free-kick blocked for a corner by the Hibs defence.
Two minutes later, Coates was at it again after Mosta were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area but her effort was saved in two attempts by Rita Tagliaferro. The last chance of the game fell at Theuma's feet but her drive sailed over the bar.
In Sunday's opening encounter, Raiders showed the better ideas against a Rabat Ajax side who opted for a counter-attacking game.
Raiders went ahead after nine minutes when Natasha Calleja's shot took a deflection off Marika Mizzi on its way to goal.
Six minutes later, Raiders doubled their account courtesy of a rising shot by Amanda Atkins.
In their first significant raid on Raiders' goal, Rabat reduced the arrears.
With six minutes of the first half remaining, they were awarded a free-kick after Mizzi was felled by Claudia Borg and Janice Zahra rifled a strong drive past Sonia Farrugia.
After the change of ends, Raiders set in earnest to reclaim their two-goal cushion but their efforts were foiled by Christine Galea, the Rabat goalkeeper.
Teams' Line-Ups
Mosta: K. Camilleri, M. Gatt, L. Piscopo (T. Fenech), K. Lia (Y. Fenech), A. Vella, M. Deguara, A. Debono (V. Saliba), V. Deguara, F. Sammut, J. Coates, R. Gatt.
Hibernians: R. Tagliaferro, M. Debono, L. Shead, F. Debono, D. Theuma, J. Vella (C. Sciberras), C. Grech, P. Borg, S. Caruana, K. Saliba, Y. Carabott (D. Tonna).
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Rabat Ajax: C. Galea, E. Xerri Mullan, S. Cassar (H. Rota), C. Ciappara, M. Mizzi, D. Debono, D. Agius, L. Debono (C. Caruana), J. Zahra, M. Micallef (L. Kahn), D. Bonello.
Raiders: S. Farrugia, K. Mangion, N. Agius, C. Borg, G. Vella, R. Xerri, N. Calleja, A. Atkins, D. Midolo, K. Zammit, B. Axisa.
Referee: Arnold Fenech.
Leading scorers: S. Caruana (Hibernians) five goals; K. Saliba (Hibs) four goals; A. Rivero (Melita), J. Coates (Mosta), Y. Carabott (Hibs), J. Zahra (Rabat A.) two goals.
Sunday's matches: 9 a.m. Sta Venera Lightnings vs Birkirkara; 11 a.m. Melita vs Birkirkara.