With Floriana failing to beat Pieta Hotspurs on Saturday, everything has been settled as to where the teams will be playing in the second phase of the championship.

And with Marsaxlokk beating Sliema by a last gasp goal, it is now almost certain that the southern seasiders will be starting the second phase with a six-point lead, in the knowledge that their last first phase opponents will be bottom placed Marsa, a match which Marsaxlokk should be able to win with a relative amount of ease.

The four clubs behind them will be engaged in a battle for position on Sunday which might even see them lose further ground to the league leaders. In fact, Sliema will be facing Msida while in the final first round match, Birkirkara take on Valletta. At present, Msida are second on 33 points, Sliema follow on 31 while Valletta and Birkirkara are on 30 points.

The match of the week was the Marsaxlokk-Sliema encounter which produced five goals and a good amount of flowing football with first Marsaxlokk, and then Sliema being the protagonists.

In fact, by the end of the first half, Marsaxlokk seemed to be well in command having also taken a 2-0 lead, but Sliema hit back in the second half to equalise before collapsing in the final moments to a goal from their former left flank defender Carlo Mamo.

A draw would have kept Sliema – and the rest of the challenging teams – closer to Marsaxlokk, especially when the points are halved at the start of the second phase.

Yet that Mamo goal has given Marsaxlokk a big edge in front of the chasing pack as well as a lot of encouragement as Brian Talbot’s boys seek to win their first ever Premier League title.

Valletta have lost Sebastian Monesterolo from their attack, but it seems they have found a more than reliable substitute in Richmar Siberie.

The Netherlands Antilles striker notched four goals on his debut, even if Valletta were facing bottom placed Marsa on Saturday. It was a most encouraging start for this striker who will now have the onus to keep Valletta in the hunt, possibly not for the honours, but a second placing which could mean a UEFA Cup berth next season.

Marsa seemed to be resigned to their fate and it will be more than difficult for them to save their status. They still have to register a first win this season.

Floriana could not go beyond a draw against Pieta and that meant they will have to play in the Relegation Pool for a second year in succession.

However, it is obvious that the Greens should have no problem. They will have a big cushion to start with, but they must be aware of what happened to them last year in a similar situation when they only just saved their status on the final day.

In fact, both Pieta and St George’s could provide one or two setbacks judging from their recent performances in which they have shown tremendous improvement.

Msida St Joseph confirmed that their challenge this season is no fluke at all by whipping Robert Gatt’s boys by three clear goals on Friday evening.

The Saints, despite missing the valuable services of Peter Pullicino, who has moved to Marsaxlokk, were more than good enough to handle the feeble Paolites challenge.

Hibernians were still under pressure as they needed two more points to make sure of their presence in the Championship Pool with Floriana breathing down their necks. However, they made sure of that the following day when Floriana failed to beat Pieta.

Best player

Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk)

The Marsaxlokk midfielder/striker is my pick this weekend after his excellent performance in the match against his former team-mates on Friday.

Sammut has been passing through his best season so far and it is no wonder that he has also become a permanent fixture in Dusan Fitzel’s national team.

On Friday, he was often in the thick of the action and, although he did not figure among his side’s scorers, it was he who masterminded Sliema’s downfall as he provided that cross from the corner-kick for Carlo Mamo to head his side’s late winner.

Next matches

Saturday 10 February

(at Hibs Ground)

1pm Hibernians-St George’s

3pm Marsa-Marsaxlokk

Sunday 11 February

(at Ta’ Qali)

4pm Sliema W.-Msida SJ

6pm Birkirkara-Valletta