Malta round-up: Champions back on form

Champions Hibernians FC brought Sliema Wanderers FC's recent good run of form to an end by beating the Maltese Premier League leaders by the odd goal in five at the weekend.

Three-goal cushion
The Paolites confirmed their overall superiority in a thrilling first half, during which Hibernians built a healthy three-goal lead. They entertained the bumper crowd at the National Stadium in the first of the two Saturday fixtures with a performance that cut the leaders down to size.

Chuckunyere on target
Hibernians' Nigerian international Ndubisi Chuckunyere opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a wonderful strike from Roderick Baldacchino's cross - and with Sliema still reeling another menacing run by Chuckunyere ended with a perfect pass to Antoine Zahra, who finished coolly. Sliema's fate was all but decided on the stroke of half-time when a fluffed clearance enabled Adrian Mifsud to make it 3-0.

Sliema rally
Sliema's pride was clearly hurt and the leaders rallied after the break. Ian Ciantar gave Sliema hope with a free-kick five minutes into the second period, before the league's top scorer Danilo Doncic was obstructed in the area by Roderick Baldacchinos 17 minutes from time. Doncic dusted himself down to score from the spot to claim his 13th goal of the season.

Birkirkara on the up
Having seen Sliema beaten, second-placed Birkirkara FC took to the field in torrential rain knowing that a win against Valletta FC would help their title ambitions. The Stripes duly obliged and ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, with an eighth-minute goal from George Mallia followed up by a Michael Galea second-half double.

Three for Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk FC edged closer to a place in the Championship Pool with a 3-0 win over Mosta FC, leapfrogging Pietà Hotspurs FC into fifth place. Roger Walker scored the opening goal on 31 minutes, before Johann Zammit added a second with his ninth goal of the season after 56 minutes. Carmel Formosa made it 3-0 in added time, and Marsaxlokk held on despite having Zammit and debutant goalkeeper Reuben Debono sent off.

Floriana lose ground
In the weekend's other game, Floriana FC lost ground on the leaders when they were surprisingly defeated 3-1 by Marsa FC, who lost their bottom-of-the-table tag at the expense of Mosta. Jonathan Holland put the Greens ahead after 19 minutes but Anthony Evi Parker replied for Marsa with a double on 68 and 72 minutes. Malcolm Tirchett sealed the three points for Marsa with the final goal ten minutes from time.