NAXXAR LIONS-1, SLIEMA WANDERERS-0
Naxxar Lions made it two wins in a row after beating Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in today's opening game.
An own goal by Sliema right-back John Mintoff separated the two teams but Naxxar deserved their win as they were the sprightlier side in attack while the Blues lost their spark after an encouraging start.
It was Sliema's second consecutive defeat after their 1-0 loss to Birkirkara on Monday.
The Blues might have opened the scoring inside the opening two minutes.
Getting on the end of a cross from Mark Scerri, Fabio Mangiacasale created space in the Naxxar box but his close-range effort was blocked byAndrew Scicluna.
The Blues remained the better side. They were denied an opener by Naxxar goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi who pushed away Huy Kassa Gnabouyou's grounder after the French had been teed up by the lively Mangiacasale.
Naxxar Lions managed to create a chance of their own thanks to a well-hit drive from Brazilian Gilmar but Glenn Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper, was up for the challenge.
The Lions improved. On 12 minutes, Daren Falzon advanced on the right before supplying a cross to Gilmar but his header was too tame to stretch Zammit.
On 26 minutes, the Lions were dangerous again when Uchenna Mbachy Emenike, their man-of-the-match in the 4-0 rout of Pietà Hotspurs, burst clear on the left before producing a teasing cross that flew across the face of goal. The ball landed to Falzon but his effor was blocked by Luca Martinelli.
Sliema's Filippo Talato had a dipping cross-shot that landed on top of the crossbar but, from the ensuing counter-attack, the Lions scored.
One again, Naxxar were quick to break forward as Gilmar drifted infield from the right before hitting a pass towards Pape Gueye but, as Zammit dashed off his line, John Mintoff slid in to clear the ball but he only managed to send it into his own net.
When Mangiacasale drifted infield from the right and freed Mifsud, the latter looked certain to end his scoring drought but his grounder ended wide.
Pushing for an equaliser, Sliema attacked from the off. Paltemio Barbetti aimed a pass towards Marko Potezica, who had come on for Gnaboyou, but his volley was high.
The Blues were now looking as threatening as the dark clouds hovering. Naxxar continued to pose problems on the counter with Gilmar leading the line.
The Lions were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position after Scozzese dashed into Gueye. Gilmar's curling free-kick was wide.
With Sliema struggling to make headway in attack, their problems grew when Scozzese was sent off after earning a second yellow card for bringing down the advancing Emenike.
In the dying stages, Cilia drove his free-kick over the ball while, at the other end, Naxxar threatened to seal the issue but substitute Terence Vella fired over after being released by Gilmar who was named BOV player of the match.