Malta round-up: Sliema on top

Sliema Wanderers FC continued their march towards the league title after a 3-1 victory against closest rivals Birkirkara FC.

League divided
After the night's fixtures, all ten teams go into the championship and relegation phase of the Premier League. With the total number of points being halved, Sliema will now kick off the championship pool phase with a two-point advantage over Birkirkara.

Deserved winners
The match at the National Stadium was the biggest fixture of a rearranged Premier League programme, after the cancellation of all but one of last weekend's fixtures. Sliema were deserved winners but it was a keenly contested affair.

Dimech debut
Former Sliema and Malta defender Luke Dimech made his debut for Birkirkara after his return home from playing in the Republic of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers FC. Birkirkara's other big winter signing Rufin Oba, started on the bench but made an appearance later in the game.

Turner header
However, Dimech was unable to stop his new side going behind after 29 minutes, when Sliema captain Noel Turner connected with a Joe Brincat free-kick to head his side in front. Oba was introduced after half-time but two minutes after the restart his side were two behind. Danilo Doncic exchanged passes with Chris Anoman, who created space on the left flank and scored with a low drive.

Doncic keeps going
Birkirkara's hopes were revived when William Camenzuli converted a penalty on 52 minutes after Brian Said was judged to have brought down George Mallia. However, Sliema struck the killer blow twelve minutes from time with the second penalty of the match. The threatening Orosco Anoman, was bundled down inside the box, and Doncic scored his fourteenth goal of the season from the spot.

Cruise control
Valletta FC beat Floriana FC 2-1 in the first game at the National Stadium, to confirm their status in the top six of the championship and a final challenge for the title. Goals from Chris Oretan and new Bulgarian signing Rumen Galabov put them in cruise control although Floriana captain Jonathan Holland revived his side's hopes with a precise free-kick but it was not enough. Defeat condemned Floriana to the relegation pool for the remainder of the season.

Sultana double
Hamrun Spartans FC already knew they were destined for the relegation pool but still managed to beat top-six side Marsaxlokk FC 3-1 in the first of the final two midweek matches played at the Centenary Stadium. All the goals came in the second half including a double from Stefan Sultana.

Solitary strike
Finally, in a match played in a hail storm, Hibernians FC made certain of their place in the top six with a 1-0 victory against Pieta' Hotspurs FC. Peter Pullicino scored the only goal of the game.

Points halved
After 18 rounds, Sliema, Birkirkara, Valletta, Hibernians, Pieta' and Marsaxlokk go into the final championship pool phase with their points halved.  The same applies for the remaining four relegation pool berths assigned to Floriana, Hamrun, Marsa FC and Mosta FC.