Updated:
Sliema 2 Msida 0
Hibs 4 Hamrun 2
Sliema Wanderers chalked up their first win of the season after beating Msida St Joseph 2-0 in today’s opening match at the National Stadium.
The final scoreline flatters the Blues who had been second best to Msida before a fluke own goal after 32 minutes set them on the way to an unimpressive victory.
Msida created the better scoring chances in the early stages. Emiliano Lattes hit the post with a low strike after 11 minutes and Tyrone Farrugia’s header was pushed away by Sliema goalkeeper Simon Agius with the aid of the crossbar. But it was Sliema who took the lead on 32 minutes.
Their goal owed everything to good fortune as Msida Roderick Baldacchino’s attempt to clear the ball took a wicked deflection off team-mate Farrugia and ended in the net.
John Mintoff made it two for Sliema on the 65th minute.
HIBS WIN
In the second match this evening Hibernians defeated Hamrun 4-2.
Mark Miller's team endured some early pressure before delivering a reminder why they were crowned champions last May. Hamrun Coach Steve D'Amato, though, should take considerable heart from a resolute first-half display which suggested that Hamrun will be a tough nut to crack this season.
Hibernians made a high-tempo start as they took the lead after 16 minutes. Cohen's shot was blocked into the path of Elkien Cauchi who was allowed time and space to slot home. Hamrun regained composure to ensure that Hibernians never had totally mastery of the game. On 34 minutes, Gaetan Spiteri raced on to a throughball between two Hibernians men before unleashing a fierce shot that hit the net via the woodwork.
Hibernians were on the ropes and again the chance fell to Spiteri but his powerful free-kick was superbly tipped over the bar by Mario Muscat. The tide soon turned though and the Paolities clicked into higher gear. Just before half-time, Edward Herrera drove into the box and beat Casha with a low shot.
Hamrun fell under siege as the second half started and the Hibs third goal duly arrived when Etienne Barbara got round a defender to shoot low into the right corner after 55 minutes.
On the hour mark, Hamrun's Roderick Fenech made a desperate attempt to clear the ball before Barbara could slot it. He screwed the shot into his own net instead and Hibs went 4-1 up. On 77 minutes, Spiteri capped a noteworthy display with a sweetly-struck shot from inside the box to make the score look more respectable for the Spartans.