Malta round-up: Valletta return to winning ways

Valletta FC bounced back from last week's defeat at the hands of Sliema Wanderers FC to record a 3-1 victory over Birkirkara FC on Friday night.

Three red cards
The game was soured by three red cards, the first shown to Valletta's Renee Forace on the hour before team-mate Ivan Zammit and Birkirkara's Alan Tabone were dismissed for fighting late on. However, Valletta's win, sealed by two goals from Daniel Bogdanovic - one from a penalty - and the other from Gilbert Agius, put them temporarily back on top of the table. George Mallia had temporarily put the Stripes ahead after only seven minutes.

Said header
Valletta's reign at the top was short-lived thanks to Sliema's 2-0 win over Hamrun Spartans FC on Saturday. Danilo Doncic opened the scoring and defender Brian Said made it 2-0 shortly before the half-time interval with a header from Chris Okoh's cross.

Mattocks double
Floriana FC continued their steady progress with a 3-1 victory over newcomers Marsaxlokk FC, who leaked two goals to Claude Mattocks and another to Georgian international striker Grigol Gvazava.

Pulis saviour
On Sunday, Adrian Pulis salvaged a point for Hibernians FC with a goal deep into added time to salvage a 2-2 draw against lowly Marsa FC, who had Mianbo Asechemie sent off for dissent. Adrian Mifsud had put Hibernians ahead on 20 minutes, but goals from Malcolm Tirchett and Gordon Camenzuli - a powerful free-kick - gave the underdogs a 2-1 lead. But the ten men could not hold out, and Pulis spared the champions' blushes.
 
Pace on target
In the day's other game, goals from Jamie Pace, Kevin Mamo and Malcolm Licari enabled Pietà Hotspurs to cruise to a 3-0 win over Mosta FC.