Sannat Lions started their title defence in the GFA Division One with a 2-0 victory over Kerċem Ajax last weekend.

After their poor display in the final of the Independence Cup, the Lions put on a much-improved performance.

Sannat were the better side in the first half. Kerċem goalkeeper Courtney Mercieca was often called to make difficult saves.

The Lions opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Fernando de Andrade took a rebound from the goalkeeper and doubled their lead seconds from the break with a lob by John Camilleri.

Kerċem played better after the break with Milos Stojanovic, Marlon Mamo and Josef Debrincat leading the team's attacking charge.

However, the champions defen-ded stoutly and on 75 minutes a 'goal' by Portelli was disallowed for an earlier infringement.

Sannat ended the match on a sour note though as De Andrade was sent off seven minutes from time for a second bookable offence.

In the first matches from Division Two, St Lawrence Spurs and Xagħra United obtained comfortable victories over Munxar Falcons and Għarb Rangers respectively.

The Spurs trounced the Falcons 5-0. Player-coach Gothard Conti paved the way with the opening goal on 30 minutes. The Spurs added four more goals through Jonathan Mercieca, Paul Anthony Attard (2) and another goal by Conti.

Xagħra lived up to expectations with a 5-1 rout of Rangers.

Xagħra made sure of victory with four goals in the opening half. Sam Frank Bajada put them ahead on 17 minutes but Għarb levelled five minutes later through Joseph Farrugia.

Xagħra quickly regained control to add three goals by the end of the first half through Michael Bezzina, Eman Bugeja and Philip Attard. Daniel Bartolo rounded the scoring.