With two matches again being postponed due to inclement weather, three matches were held between Sunday and Monday which produced new sole leaders in the form of Valletta, after their narrow 2-1 win over lowly Lija Athletic.

In the other matches, Birkirkara failed to maintain the pace with Valletta as they fell to a second consecutive defeat, this time to Pieta Hotspurs, while Hibernians extended their recent positive run to five matches – two draws and three straight wins – with a convincing 2-0 win over Msida St Joseph.

The position before today’s match sees Valletta enjoying a three-point lead over Sliema at the top but with the Wanderers having played two matches fewer.

Hibernians have now overtaken Birkirkara in third place.

Valletta struggled to beat lowly Lija in the first match on Sunday. One expected them to romp home to an easy win after their recent run of successes and especially after having taken an early lead.

But Lija hit back immediately to equalise and then the citizens, with Gilbert Agius well under the control of the strong Daddy Okeke, could not breathe freely, even if they dominated territorially.

It is evident that Agius is the inspiration of the side and it is only when their star is on top of his form that the citizens show their true worth.

Yet, they still won the three points that mattered most which saw them occupying the top place for the first time this season.

Lija must be commended for a brave effort, but after recovering from that early blow almost immediately, they did not have enough energy to battle back after suffering the second goal.

Pieta Hotspurs were impressive in their 3-2 win over the heavily depleted Birkirkara side in the match that followed.

They certainly took full advantage of the fact that the Stripes were missing such players as Lucian Dronca, Haruna Doda, Roderick Briffa (all injured or ill) and the suspended George Mallia and Mark Anthony Bonnici.

Pieta had a fantastic start as they built a strong 2-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes and although Birkirkara did most of the running, it always looked difficult for the Stripes to pierce a strong defence in which Chris Okoh was an outstanding performer.

Pieta were well organised at the back and in midfield and they must be really commended for making the most of Birkirkara’s defensive lapses, especially when scoring a fine third goal through a great Ivan Woods header at a time when Birkirkara appeared to be close to equalising.

The Stripes did what they could in the circumstances, but there was not enough punch in their front line, as Michael Galea had to play a midfielder’s role, leaving the inexperienced Jean Paul Mifsud Triganza and Alan Tabone to battle against such seasoned campaigners as Chris Okoh and Branko Nisevic.

Chucks Nwoko confirmed once again that he is well below his normal levels while although playing a splendid game, William Camenzuli must thank his lucky stars for not being shown a red card after that very dangerous tackle on Senad Repuh.

There is no doubt that this was a big setback for the Stripes who might also have to struggle to assure themselves of a Championship Pool place – they have now dropped to fourth in the standings.

In fact, they have a very tough programme ahead of them now, their next encounters being against Floriana, Sliema and Valletta.

By then, their immediate followers may move closer to challenge them seriously.

Hibernians have moved ominously in third place in the standings after a 2-0 win over Msida St Joseph on Monday evening. It was their fifth positive result which gave them a good 11 points from a possible 15.

They are now six points behind Valletta and three behind Sliema, but considering that the points have to be halved at the end of this round, then they might find themselves challenging for the title as well, if they maintain this current trend.

Of course, it will not be easy, but with a defence in which Aaron Xuereb, Ryan Mintoff, Kenneth Spiteri and Adrian Pulis are passing through a great moment and with such players as Essiem Mbong, Peter Pullicino, Terence Scerri, Andrew Cohen and Antoine Zahra, not to mention Ndubuisi Chukunyere, among their ranks, I would not be surprised to see them close to the top when the second phase starts.

Msida were, perhaps, a carbon copy of the Birkirkara side this weekend. Against Hibernians, they had their midfield trio of Charles Sciberras, Roderick Bajada and Kevin Sammut missing through injury, even if Bajada made a welcome return midway through the second half. They also had Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke on the substitutes’ bench.

In the circumstances, it must be said they tried hard, but it was not enough to stop a stronger Hibs team from registering a third consecutive victory.

The Saints have been somewhat unlucky so far this season with all their injuries.

Yet not everything is lost and one expects them to delve into the transfer market this month to try and make the team competitive once again as they continue battling for a place among the top six.