Malta round-up: Brilliant Birkirkara close the gap

Birkirkara FC turned on the style against rivals Valletta FC to secure a 7-2 win that puts them level on points with Maltese Premier League leaders Sliema Wanderers FC.

Biggest-ever win
The match was level at half-time after Valetta's new signing Rumen Galabov and Darren Debono equalised Roderick Briffa's opener and Lucien Dronca's penalty respectively. But three goals in the space of five minutes early in the second period from Michael Galea, William Camenzuli and Briffa put Birkirkara on the way to victory and further strikes by Chucks Nwoko and Camenzuli secured their side's biggest ever win against third-placed Valetta, who now are six points off the lead.

Leaders held
Sliema now lead only on goal difference following a 2-2 draw against Pietà Hotspurs FC. Noel Turner gave the table-toppers an early lead after being first to a loose ball and by the ten-minute mark Orosco Anoman had converted a Danilo Doncic cross to double Sliema's lead. But just after the quarter-hour mark, Giacomo Paniccia's curled free-kick reduced the deficit and Anatole Debono equalised eleven minutes from time - the same player then unlucky to hit the crossbar soon after.

Champions triumph
The remaining championship pool game on Sunday saw reigning title-holders Hibernians FC beat Marsaxlokk FC 2-0. Adrian Mifsud put Hibernians ahead just after the break and although they had Ndubisi Chuckunyere sent off twenty minutes into the second half, for an off-the-ball incident involving Marsaxlokk midfield player Etienne Barbara, they secured the points with an Essien Mbong 12 minutes from time. Hibernians are now in fourth, eight points behind the leading pair.

Marsa relief
In the relegation pool, Marsa FC gained three precious points with a 1-0 victory against Mosta FC. Malcolm Tirchett's clincher in the 65th minute moves Marsa six points clear of bottom-placed Mosta and ahead of Hamrun Spartans FC.