Fenech inspires Sliema win over champions Valletta

SLIEMA WANDERERS 3VALLETTA                    0 Sliema Wanderers made an early statement of intent about their high ambitions this season after beating champions Valletta 3-0 in their BOV Premier League opener on Saturday.  Ryan Fenech, back at Sliema Wanderers following his summer move from Balzan, inspired this emphatic win with a two-goal performance. Valletta ultimately paid the price for their first-half wastefulness. They missed two great chances early on through Matteo Picciolo and Santiago Malano, both shooting straight at goalkeeper Jake Galea who was making his debut for the Wanderers. Two minutes from half-time, Sliema opened the scoring when Ryan Fenech’s corner from the right was met with a strong header by Kurt Shaw.  Valletta struggled to make a reaction in the second half and Sliema duly capitalised. After being denied by Bonello, Sliema doubled their lead when Fenech’s swinging free-kick whizzed past a host of players and dropped into the back of the net. Eight minutes from time, Sliema made it 3-0 when Fenech broke clear and hit past Bonello. BOV player of the match: Ryan Fenech (Sliema Wanderers). SAMB DOUBLEGŻIRA UNITED            4TARXIEN RAINBOWS 1Gżira United began their league campaign with a routine 4-1 victory over Tarxien Rainbows at the Tedesco Stadium. They went ahead on 16 minutes when Andrew Cohen was brought down by goalkeeper Andrea Cassar inside the box and referee Matthew DeGabriele ordered a penalty. Amadou Samb converted. Edison Bilbao Zarate doubled their lead late in the first half after intercepting a miscued pass. The erstwhile outplayed Tarxien narrowed the deficit seven minutes into the second half when Matthew Spiteri beat Justin Haber with a low effort but, nine minutes later, Gżira United restored their two-goal lead. Samb scored his second from the spot after being brought down inside the box. Gżira sealed their win 16 minutes from time when the Tarxien rearguard failed to deal with Nikolai Muscat’s cross from the left and Destin Prince-Loic Mambouana poked home from close range. BOV player of the match: Amadou Samb (Gżira United). SPARTANS WIN IN SECOND HALF ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 2FLORIANA                 0 A revamped Ħamrun Spartans launched their 2018-19 campaign in bright fashion after beating Floriana 2-0 at the National Stadium. Giovanni Tedesco, the new Ħamrun Spartans coach, handed a debut to no fewer than nine new signings. After a goalless first half, the Spartans drew first blood in the 64th minute. Njongo Priso’s cross was headed down by Hernan Hennenberg and new Italian signing Kevin Tulimieri was on hand to rifle past goalkeeper Ini Etim Akpan. In the dying stages Ħamrun secured their win thanks to substitute Bradley Schembri who tapped home from close range after being served from the right by Hennenberg. BOV player of the match: Kevin Tulimieri (Ħamrun Spartans). ATKINSON HAT-TRICKST ANDREWS 3MOSTA 1 Kevaughn Atkinson struck a hat-trick to make it a perfect start for St Andrews who claimed a 3-1 win over Mosta at the Tedesco Stadium.  St Andrews grabbed the lead in the fifth minute when they were given a penalty after Romeu Romao handled the ball inside the area. Atkinson beat Andreas Vella from the spot. Mosta equalised on 13 minutes with a strong shot from Renan Oliveira who latched onto a cross by Massimo Sammartino. The first half ended 1-1 but St Andrews went 2-1 up 12 minutes into the second half. Amoy Brown served Atkinson on the right and the latter raced into the box before hitting home. With 16 minutes remaining, Atkinson completed his hat-trick with another well-hit strike from an angle. The Saints ended the match with 10 men after Borg was sent off for a second yellow card. BOV player of the match: Kevaughn Atkinson (St Andrews).