The past weekend was characterised by three surprise results where the small clubs forced the big guns to bow their heads, at least partially.

In fact, the honours the past weekend went to St George’s and Pieta who held Marsaxlokk and Sliema to draws, while a 10-man Floriana side also won a precious point from a 1-1 draw against second placed Msida.

In the other match on the programme, Birkirkara maintained their recent upsurge with an easy 3-0 win at the expense of bottom club Marsa.

With three draws from four matches, there has not been much change in the standings and it was only Birkirkara who managed to advance as they took over fifth place from the inactive Hibernians. The Stripes are now in a healthier position, enjoying a four-point lead over seventh placed Floriana with three matches to go before the second phase starts.

Marsaxlokk maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the standings despite being surprisingly held by a gallant St George’s side.

The southern seasiders had new goalie Justin Haber to thank for keeping them in the match in the first half, before he was eventually sent off. His saves denied the Saints from scoring on at least three occasions.

Despite Kevin Sammut’s promptings, the league leaders failed to make their usual impact and must have been susprised with the determination and commitment of their opponents.

It is ironic to say that Marsaxlokk performed better in 10 men, but when newcomer Effiong scored that equaliser for the Saints, it was only justice being done, for St George’s never deserved to leave the pitch empty handed.

It was, perhaps, the Saints’ best performance this season with Renato Conceicao playing some great stuff and inspiring his colleagues, especially Mizzi, Lagana and the same Effiong to make bold efforts.

If the Saints manage to reproduce such form in their remaining matches, they should start the second phase with much better hopes, even though they will still be in the Relegation Pool.

The same applies to Pieta Hotspurs who had to come back from a 0-2 deficit against Sliema to draw 2-2 and earn another precious point.

Pieta are showing that their young side is finally taking off and coach Carmel Busuttil & Co are entertaining fresh hopes that they might eventually avoid the Big Drop.

Against Sliema they showed a lot of fighting spirit in getting back on level terms. Such form should also help them acquire precious points in their forthcoming battle against relegation.

On their part, Sliema disappointed their followers as they lost a good chance to narrow the gap with Marsaxlokk.

The Blues seemed to be cruising home to an easy win when they scored their second goal but it was not to be. Perhaps they overestimated their opponents and, at the end, had to settle for a draw.

Floriana must also be given credit for a brave performance in 10 men against second placed Msida.

Not that Floriana are to be considered as a small club, but their position, fourth from bottom and with the Relegation Pool staring them in their faces, it was only to their credit that they managed to earn a point.

The Greens played their hearts out, especially in defence, after taking the lead soon after Manolito Micallef was sent off for a head butt.

They resisted bravely as much as they could although they eventually succumbed to a goal that forced them to share the spoils.

Msida were therefore foiled from bridging the gap with the leaders who had dropped two points in the previous match.

And Msida never looked like a second placed team, at least until Zongo was brought into the action in the second half.

The only team to make a slight improvement in the standings was Birkirkara who moved from sixth to fifth following an easy 3-0 win over Marsa.

The match had no story expect that there was only one team in it – the Stripes – who could have notched a cricket score had they taken the chances which came their way.

As for the Red Blues, who are now the only team without a foreigner, the chances of avoiding the Big Drop are looking as slim as ever. They have garnered only three points from a possible 45.

Best player

Ian Azzopardi (Floriana)

International defender Ian Azzopardi of Floriana is my pick this week after an excellent performance which helped his side earn a point against Msida.

His contribution to the side was whole-hearted right from the beginning, but it became more evident in the second half when the Greens had Micallef sent off and therefore were forced to defend for long stretches.

Azzopardi played well in the heart of the defence even if he is usually used to playing on the left flank, even when performing for Dusan Fitzel’s national team.

The scorers

M’LOKK (35): D. Bogdanovic 15, K. Sammut 6, A. Schembri 5, H. Doda 5, C. Mamo, S. Bajada, I. Azzopardi (Floriana) og, R. Conceicao (St George’s) og

MSIDA SJ (28): I.Babatunde 8, D. Nwoke 10, O. Zongo 3, R. Baldacchino 3, P. Fenech, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, P. Pullicino

VALLETTA (31): S. Monesterolo 16, G. Agius 6, K. Magro 2, B. Nisevic 2, D. Zarb, E. Uzeh, I. Zammit, D. Falzon, M. Grima

FLORIANA (24): A. Mifsud 5, T. Cilia 4, W. Gomes 4, M. Micallef 3, C. Caruana 3, C. Cassar 2, I. Azzopardi, R. Newell, M. Gauci

HIBERNIANS (26): T. Scerri 10, A. Cohen 6, N. Chukunyere 3, P. C. Doffo 2, T. Caruana 2, U. Nwoko, A. Xuereb, M. Bartolo

BIRKIRKARA (26): J.P. Mifsud Triganza 10, E. Barbara 6, G. Mallia 2, A. Paradiso, M. Calascione, L. Galea, MA Bonnici, H. Sbai, M. Galea, W. Camenzuli, R. Briffa

SLIEMA (27): I. Woods 11, A. Muscat 4, R. Bajada 3, M. Galea 2, Z. Zvoboda 2, C. Nwoko 2, O. Anonam, J. Chetcuti, M. Scerri,

MARSA (7): A. Ewurun 2, E. Yantchev 2, B. Zammit, D. Cucciardi, V. Bellia

ST GEORGE’S (8): L. Mizzi 3, S. Sciberras, E. do Nascimento, L. Pace, R. Conceicao, Effiong

PIETA H. (9): D. Theuma 2, A. Decesare 2, S. Kondev 2, A. Debono, D. Kokavessis, C. Pulo,

The next matches

Saturday 20 January

(at Ta’ Qali)

4pm Birkirkara-Floriana

6pm Valletta-Hibernians

Sunday 21 January

(at V. Tedesco Stadium)

1pm Marsa-Pieta H.

3pm St George’s-Msida SJ