Malta round-up: Sliema deny Birkirkara

Sliema Wanderers FC held on to first place in the Maltese Premier League after twice coming from behind to secure a 3-3 draw with Birkirkara FC.

Galea double
In a game played in torrential rain, Sliema went ahead on 18 minutes when the league's top scorer Danilo Doncic converted a penalty following a foul on Nenad Veselji by Kenneth Scicluna. Michael Galea levelled ten minutes later and he scored again on 36 minutes to give Birkirkara the lead.

Doncic's perfect ten
Kevin Sammut equalised just after the hour but within two minutes George Mallia restored the advantage for a side who knew they could have gone top with victory. However, Doncic scored his tenth of the season 19 minutes from time to keep his team at the summit, though both sides ended the game with ten men as William Camenzuli and Massimo Grima were sent off.

Penchev seals game
Valletta FC are only a point behind thanks to a 1-0 victory against Floriana FC in Saturday's other match. Bulgarian Milen Penchev scored the only goal on 62 minutes in the 'Old Firm' derby, as eight players were booked.

Postponed games
Sunday's scheduled fixtures, which were to have seen Marsa FC play Mosta FC and Hamrun Spartans FC face Marsaxlokk FC were postponed due to the weekend's rain and will now take place on Tuesday.