There was a status quo at the top of the standings as the top three club registered victories the past weekend.
But at the other end of the table, Valletta lost their derby battle against Floriana on Saturday and now face a terrible 12 days during which they have three tough matches against none other than Msida St Joseph (on Thursday), Marsaxlokk (next Tuesday) and Sliema Wanderers (18 December).
If the citizens fail in these three matches, it will be obvious that they will get involved in a very big battle to avoid playing in the Relegation Pool.
As already stated, there was no change at the top as Sliema defeated Mosta, Hibs came on top against Pieta and Birkirkara demolished Msida.
Though it is still early to make any judgements, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that the championship battle will be a three-horse race with Marsaxlokk and Msida remaining with a slight outside chance.
Sliema returned to winning form after two consecutive defeats as they overcame bottom-placed Mosta by two clear goals, both scored in the second half.
Still, theirs was an unimpressive performance, especially considering the opposition. This makes it clear that the Blues will have to pull up their socks in their forthcoming matches if they are not to be overtaken by their immediate challengers.
The Blues never set any houses on fire and it had to be Daniel Bogdanovic to inspire them to victory with some hard work in midfield, apart from scoring a goal himself and setting the other for Ivan Woods.
Mosta did what was expected of them – they provided a stiff challenge to the leaders. It is true that they were on the defensive for long stretches, but there never seemed to be a chance that the first round 6-0 scoreline would be repeated in this match.
Hibernians also obtained the three points from a difficult match against Pieta even if they were far from the form which had lifted them to the top in recent rounds.
The Paolites, in fact, had to suffer a strong reaction from Pieta before claiming the three points and would have probably collapsed against stronger and more experienced opponents.
Yet, Robert Gatt’s side is still one point behind Sliema, but they have the chance to go top on Sunday when they play their match in hand over the Wanderers – against Floriana.
Pieta went close to snatching a point off the Paolites, but their inexperience let them down, having squandered two golden opportunities to equalise a second time.
I am sure, however, this side will be able to spring some surprises and seems to be best equipped to finish sixth for a place in the Championship Pool.
In fact, the weekend results show that there is a big battle looming for a final place among the Top Six. Sliema, Hibs and Birkirkara are on the verge of qualifying while Marsaxlokk and Msida are almost there as well, though not yet. Valletta, Pieta, Hamrun and Floriana are distanced by just two points when seven matches remain to be played. Mosta are a distant 10th and last on just five points.
Floriana made a bold step forward as they beat the citizens in a fiery derby by the odd goal in three.
It was their first victory over Valletta in three seasons. Not only, it was their second consecutive win this season and gives them much more hope of avoiding the Relegation Pool.
Moreover, the fighting spirit and enthusiasm is back in the squad under the able hands of Jan Artz and it seems as if the players have now forgotten their disastrous start to the season – as is the case with Everton in England.
More of this stuff and Floriana will continue climbing the standings.
On the other hand, trouble seems to be looming for Valletta following this defeat. The players’ morale is at a very low ebb and new coach Paul Zammit has to work hard till Thursday to get back the motivation among his ranks.
The city clan know that they are facing a difficult moment and unless they are successful in their forthcoming three matches, it will be almost impossible to avoid playing in the Relegation Pool in the Second Phase of the season.
These three matches – against Msida, Marsaxlokk and Sliema – are very important for Valletta. But they must be aware that their opponents will also be after the points for their own sake.
In the other match at the weekend, third placed Birkirkara maintained their impressive string of wins – they have now posted five consecutive victories – as they brushed aside the Msida challenge to win comfortably by four goals to one.
The Stripes seem to be at their very best once again – at the right moment. And it also seems that they can continue improving given the fact that coach Stephen Azzopardi this season is luckier than usual simply because he does not have so many injury problems, which had beset him in past seasons.
The Stripes were impressive as they demolished Msida even though one must admit the latter missed the absence of key midfielder Roderick Bajada, who was suspended.
The Saints, beaten 5-2 by the Stripes in the first round, might have thought the time was ripe for them to spring a surprise on their opponents but, at the end, they had to bow down to a superior outfit which has a gift above all the others – they do not need to rely on just one man to get the goals as they possess a good number of players who can all score a goal.
Best player
Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara)
The tiny Stripes and Malta midfielder is my pick this week after an impressive performance against Msida St Joseph on Saturday.
His repertoire included a goal – the first – which paved the way for the Stripes comfortable 4-1 win.
Zahra is enjoying life back at the top in the Premier League. He had been out on the sidelines for so long (almost two years) with an injury, but this season, he has returned to the side and is now gathering momentum from match to match.
I am sure this player will prove to be a big asset to the Stripes as they maintain their strong challenge for the title till the end of the season.
Leading scorers
10 – Cleaven Frendo (Marsaxlokk)
9 – Michael Galea (Birkirkara)
8 – Daniel Nwoke (Msida SJ), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Daniel Bogdanovic (Sliema W.), Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun S.)
7 – Danilo Doncic (Sliema W.)
6 – Martin Deanov (Pieta H.)
5 – Maczerob Okoro (Hamrun S.), Ivan Woods (Sliema W.), David Camilleri and Terence Scerri (both Hibernians), Wendell Gomes (Marsaxlokk)
4 – Daniel Theuma and Roderick Bajada (Msida St Joseph), Joe Brincat (Sliema W.), Haruna Doda (Hibernians), Adrian Mifsud (Floriana), Udo Nwoko (Mosta), Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara), Ian Zammit (Valletta)
Next matches
Thursday 8 December
(at Ta’ Qali)
2pm Msida SJ-Valletta
4pm Marsaxlokk-Birkirkara
Sunday 11 December
(at Hibs Ground)
12.45pm Pieta H.-Hamrun S.
2.45pm Hibernians-Floriana
Tuesday 13 December
(at Ta’ Qali)
2pm Valletta-Marsaxlokk
4pm Birkirkara-Sliema W.