Only two matches were played at the weekend as Sunday’s two matches at the Hibs Ground were washed out. It was a glorious weekend for league leaders Marsaxlokk. Despite remaining unactive as their match was postponed, they watched their two main challengers dropping precious points on Saturday.

In the first match, Sliema faltered against a Birkirkara side which won back some lost prestige under new coach John Buttigieg, while in the match that followed, Valletta also dropped two points from their clash with Hibernians after managing to salvage one point thanks to a late equaliser.

Sliema Wanderers were expected to take full advantage of the Birkirkara situation after the latter had gone through three consecutive defeats. And so it seemed until the Stripes produced a quick two-goal burst with around 15 minutes to go to stun the title challengers and force them to leave the pitch empty-handed.

The Blues had Di Lello, Ciantar and Muscat missing from their line-up through injury, while Sharlon Pace was suspended. However, this was not a good enough excuse for the defence still included such established players as Carabott, Said, Chetcuti and Lombardi.

Everything seemed to be going well for the Blues after they took an early lead. Even when Birkirkara tried to get back at them, they controlled with a relative amount of ease and appeared heading towards another victory until they suffered that double blow from the Stripes within two minutes.

For the Stripes, this victory was a big booster following the upheavals which culminated in the 6-1 heavy defeat against leaders Marsaxlokk the previous week.

And for new coach John Buttigieg, it was a perfect baptism of fire in his first major job with a Premier club. The former Sliema, Brentford, Floriana, Valletta and Malta central defender, brought back some consistency to the side after their recent opaque performances.

However, if Buttigieg and the Stripes still harbour hopes of a European berth next season, via a second or third place in the league, or a Trophy win, then they must be well aware that there are still a lot of things to be done to bring back harmony to the whole squad.

Given the fact that Buttigieg is still fresh in his new job – he only started with the Stripes a week ago – it is a fact that the victory over the Blues has helped the whole clan to regain confidence ahead of their remaining clashes.

Valletta also missed the bus on Saturday despite dominating most of the match against the 10-man Hibernians.

The citizens failed to take advantage of Sliema’s defeat to join them in second place on 23 points and as they had to come twice from behind to snatch a point against the Paolites.

Paul Zammit’s boys did not take the chances which came their way and Hibernians, without some key players and also missing the red-carded Pulis for almost the second half, almost squeezed a victory.

The Paolites confirmed their recent improvement, but the point was not enough to lift them back over Birkirkara in the standings.

Valletta’s chances for the title have now decreased considerably – they are eight points behind the leaders who also have the game against Marsaxlokk in hand. What the citizens will be after now is a second or third place which will see them back in European football next season after four years.

Best player

Roderick Bajada (Sliema W.)

The Sliema midfielder is my pick this weekend after his excellent performance in the defeat against Birkirkara.

It was a pity that he had to leave the pitch – like all his team-mates – with his head held down. He was a real motivator for his team-mates, at least till the Blues enjoyed their 1-0 lead and that is, before Birkirkara struck twice in two minutes to overturn the result.

Bajada has been playing some good football recently, but this was rarely given due recognition as he was normally considered as the one who does all the dirty work in the Blues side.

It is evident that his inclusion in the national squad has enabled this player to improve considerably this season.

Next matches

Tomorrow

(at Ta’ Qali)

6pm St George’s-Marsa

8pm Marsaxlokk-Msida SJ

Saturday 17 March

(at Hibs Ground)

1.30pm Pieta H.-Floriana

3.30pm Sliema W.-Hibernians

Sunday 18 March

(at Ta’ Qali)

6pm Msida SJ-Birkirkara

8pm Valletta-Marsaxlokk