Malta round-up: Floriana secure vital victory

A hat-trick from Nicolo Baldacchino helped Floriana FC to a crucial 5-1 win against Marsa FC in the Maltese Premier League relegation pool.

Vital victory
The win all but secured Floriana's top-flight status, as they face already-relegated Marsa FC next weekend in the final game of the season, while Marsa will have to defeat Hamrun Spartans FC to have any chance of staying in the top division.

Baldacchino on target
Malta Under-21 international Baldacchino opened the scoring after 14 minutes, collecting a pass from Donovan Friggieri and shooting past Maurizio Valastro. The same player made it 2-0 13 minutes later, blasting into the net after a Jonathan Holland free-kick.
 
Headed third
Although Kenneth Abela pulled a goal back for Marsa three minutes later, Baldacchino completed his hat-trick five minutes after half-time, heading another Holland free-kick into the net, and Floriana substitutes Trevor Cilia and Christian Cassar completed the win with two late goals.
 
Borg decisive
Elsewhere in the relegation pool, Hamrun earned three important points with a 1-0 win against relegated Mosta, with Kevin Borg scoring the only goal of the game after 21 minutes, after Stefan Sultana's shot had been parried by Mosta goalkeeper Simon Agius.
 
Emphatic win
Meanwhile, in the championship pool, Birkirkara FC claimed a 4-1 win against Marsaxlokk FC, with Michael Galea scoring at either end of the first half after Carmel Formosa had equalised for Marsaxlokk. Second-half strikes from William Camenzuli and George Mallia completed the win. 

Three for Mifsud
Hibernians FC were convincing 5-0 winners against Pietà Hostpurs FC, with Adrian Mifsud scoring a hat-trick and Ndubisi Chuckunyere and Roderick Baldacchino also on target.