Valletta St Paul’s began their MAFA First Division league commitments in impressive fashion with a 4-0 victory over Attard Edex Kings, while Senglea Gunners produced the biggest win of Match Day 2 by defeating Swieqi United 8-1. San Ġiljan Saints and Marsa St Michael shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

The second round of matches was played on Saturday 17 October, with the First Division programme taking place at the Marsaxlokk Ground, while the Second Division fixtures were held at the Corradino C Ground.

Valletta St Paul’s open with convincing victory

After having a bye on the opening weekend, Valletta St Paul’s finally started their First Division campaign, and they did so in convincing fashion with a 4-0 win over Attard Edex Kings.

Attard had started their league commitments with a victory, but Valletta St Paul’s quickly showed their intentions. Obetta Andrew Ejike opened the scoring in the 18th minute to give his side a 1-0 advantage which they maintained until half-time.

Valletta took greater control after the interval. Peteira Diego Fernando doubled the lead in the 38th minute before Charles Samson Chibuike added a third six minutes later. Da Silva Jean Gustavo completed an excellent afternoon for Valletta with the fourth goal on the hour mark.

The result gives Valletta St Paul’s a perfect start to their campaign and provides an early indication of their ambitions this season.

Referee: Roderick Micallef.

Eight-goal Senglea respond in style

Senglea Gunners bounced back strongly from their opening-day defeat as they registered an emphatic 8-1 victory over Swieqi United.

Senglea wasted no time in taking control, with Seedy Fofana opening the scoring after only four minutes. Ali Oularbi doubled their advantage in the 14th minute before Lamin Jaiteh made it 3-0 in the 22nd.

Three minutes later, Ousman Jallow added another, as Senglea went into the interval with a commanding 4-0 advantage.

The goals continued after the break. Perry Nehmiah struck in the 43rd minute, while Ayoubah Fona added the sixth in the 59th.

Swieqi managed to get on the scoresheet through Mark Martin in the 63rd minute, but Senglea were not finished. Jallow scored his second of the match in the 67th minute, with Jose David Diaz Urango also finding the net to complete the 8-1 scoreline.

It was an important response from Senglea following their 2-1 defeat against San Ġiljan Saints on Match Day 1.

San Ġiljan and Marsa share the points

The other First Division encounter produced a much tighter affair as San Ġiljan Saints and Marsa St Michael drew 1-1.

Marsa took the lead through Mohamed Taher Amri in the 25th minute.

San Ġiljan, who had opened their season with a victory, fought back in the second half and restored parity through Ionut Popescu in the 54th minute.

Neither side could find a winner, meaning the points were shared.

Referee: Alhasana Sillah.

Balluta Barracudas impress on first outing

In the Second Division, Balluta Barracudas marked their first league appearance of the season with an impressive 5-1 victory over Gudja Wanderers.

The star of the match was undoubtedly Andrea Lorefice, who scored four times.

Lorefice put Balluta ahead in the eighth minute, although Marco Antonio Bravo Ortiz equalised for Gudja in the 28th minute as the teams went into the break level at 1-1.

Balluta dominated after the interval. Lorefice restored their advantage in the 37th minute before Matthew Muscat made it 3-1 five minutes later. Lorefice then completed his hat-trick in the 46th minute before adding his fourth in the 59th to seal an excellent opening victory.

Referee: Jonathan Balzan.

Goalless between Naxxar and Sliema

There was nothing to separate Naxxar Victorians and Sliema NB, with their encounter ending 0-0.

Both sides had won their opening matches – Naxxar defeating Ħamrun Sporting 1-0 and Sliema NB beating Gżira BB 2-1 – but neither could break the deadlock this time.

The result means both remain unbeaten after their opening two fixtures.

Referee: Jean Pierre Mifsud.

San Ġwann and Ħamrun settle for a draw

The final Second Division encounter also ended level, with San Ġwann Pro Evol Academy and Ħamrun Sporting drawing 1-1.

San Ġwann made an excellent start when Salifou Diallo put them ahead after only six minutes.

Ħamrun responded before the interval, with Denis Duha equalising in the 29th minute. Neither team managed to find the decisive goal afterwards as the match finished 1-1.

For San Ġwann, it was a second successive draw after their 1-1 result against Gudja Wanderers on the opening weekend.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.