Malta round-up: Deadly Doncic sinks Floriana

Danilo Doncic hit a hat-trick as Sliema Wanderers FC beat Floriana FC by the odd goal in five on Sunday to keep their Maltese Premier League title hopes alive.

Hat-trick hero
Doncic, who has now scored 32 goals this season, struck either side of a Cedric Caruana goal for Floriana, and completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Orosco Anoman had been felled in the area.

Four-point gap
Etienne Barbara's spot-kick midway through the second half was ultimately not enough to deny victory for Sliema, who now lie four points behind leaders Hibernians FC.

Valletta slump
But while Hibernians stand on the brink of the title, last year's champions Valletta FC went down 2-0 to ten-man Birkirkara FC.

Okoh sees red
Despite having defender Chris Okoh sent off seven minutes before half-time for a second bookable offence, Birkirkara weathered the Valletta storm and scored two quick goals to go ahead after the break. Matthew Calascione claimed them both, first bursting through two defenders to beat Sean Sullivan in the Valletta goal, then latching onto a Chucks Nwoko pass to double the lead.

Late reply
Valletta pulled one back when John Buttigieg's 87th-minute free-kick found the net, but it was too little too late.