Barbara makes mark with debut hat-trick

New signing Etienne Barbara scored a hat-trick to help reigning champions Hibernians FC open the new Maltese Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Marsaxlokk FC.

Early impact
Barbara, who played for SC Verl in the fourth tier of German football last season, only signed a one-year deal with Hibernians at the end of the week but has swiftly made an impact, sending the team second in the table. Tarxien Rainbows FC are the early pacesetters following their 4-1 triumph over Dingli Swallows FC but the opening weekend of the new campaign, which yielded 17 goals from five matches, belonged to Barbara.

Memorable night
"I'm very pleased all went so well in my first outing with my new club," the Maltese international told uefa.com. "I'm very happy to be at such a great club as Hibernians. All I had in mind was to start scoring goals again and it turned out to be quite a memorable and enjoyable evening for me. When the manager trusts in you and your abilities everything comes so easily. Of course, another factor comes from the fact I was drafted in to my real central attacking position. I cannot ask for more than having a player like Andrew Cohen supporting me." It was Cohen who teed up Barbara for his third-minute opener and, after an equaliser from new Marsaxlokk recruit Martin Deanov, he added two more.

Emphatic turnaround
Tarxien lead the way, despite having falling behind to Premier League newcomers the Swallows through Joseph Okonkwo's penalty. Two goals from Anderson Mendes Ribeiro and one apiece from both Denni Rocha Dos Santos and James Shead gave Tarxien the three points. Big spenders Valletta FC issued a statement of intent with a 3-1 victory of their own – over Birkirkara FC. New signing Terence Scerri scored twice for Valletta and Geert Van Ouden once to render Sylvano Comvalius's strike little more than a consolation for Birkirkara.

Late leveller
Elsewhere, Orosco Anonam salvaged a 1-1 draw for Floriana FC with two minutes remaining after they had fallen behind to Alfred Effiong's second-half goal for Qormi FC.