When almost all teams have played six matches, that is one third of the first phase of the competition, it is obvious that the top teams are not having it so lightly against the so-called small clubs.

It is very difficult for me to remember over a span of 41 years, a start to a local championship such as this one, where several matches have gone in favour or almost in favour of the small clubs.

In this round, for example, we have seen some glory go to Mqabba and Msida St Joseph over Sliema and Birkirkara. Earlier, Pieta Hotspurs had also beaten Birkirkara, while Hamrun Spartans have had an encouraging start to the new season (including a 1-0 win over the champions) after promotion by winning three of the five matches they have played.

Take a glimpse at the present form of the clubs and one can easily note that the situation is not as rosy as it used to be in past years for the top clubs. In fact, it is obvious that the gap has been bridged considerably and I believe this is mostly due to the fact that the so-called small clubs have some good quality foreigners among their ranks.

Floriana, a surprise this year, after so many seasons in the wilderness, are at the top with 13 points. They are followed by Birkirkara on 11, Sliema and Marsaxlokk on 10, Hamrun on nine, Valletta on eight, Hibernians and Pieta have six points, Msida five and Mqabba three.

At such a stage, normally, one would find at least one club or two who would be without a win. Yet, every team has already registered a victory this season with Mqabba showing against Sliema that they will also be fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation.

Marcelo Pereira was their obvious hero on Sunday. It was he who grabbed the three goals than sank the much more fancied Sliema side, humiliating them by the odd goal in five.

The Wanderers were obviously shocked. They needed the three points from this match as they wanted to confirm that the 2-1 win over Hibernians in their previous match was no fluke. The Blues did well to fight back from a 2-0 first half deficit to equalise by the 70th minute, but they succumbed to an injury time third goal from Pereira as they threw everything in attack in search of the winner from their side.

The Blues were surprised by this Mqabba side which is showing signs of never giving up, at least on some occasions. The newly promoted side showed no signs of fear against their more illustrious opponents and this is what makes the game of football really entertaining to watch, though admittedly not always.

On Monday night, Birkirkara must have also considered themselves somewhat lucky to escape defeat against a fighting 10-man Msida side. And it was thanks to goalie Bernard Paris that they salvaged a draw.

One has to admit, however, that the sharing of the spoils was a fair result in the circumstances, considering the number of chances Birkirkara created throughout the match, especially during that second half onslaught.

The Stripes were frustrated on many an occasion, but especially when their former player Patrick Borg had just entered as a substitute for Msida, to clear the ball from over the line, avoiding what would have been an almost certain goal from Yanchev’s shot.

Credit goes to Patrick Curmi’s side which, in Njongo Priso and Ouahchia, had two very dangerous strikers which provided the Birkirkara defence with a stern test.

The same can be said of Marceline Tamboulas of Birkirkara. He may be considered as one of the best ever foreigners brought over by the Stripes, especially in recent years.

These three foreigners simply lit up the night at Ta’ Qali on Monday night with some dazzling runs and neat dribbling.

Floriana brushed aside Pieta’s challenge earlier on Monday evening, winning comfortably by four goals to nil.

The Greens confirmed their current good moment even if the Caruana brothers, Mario and Christian, as well as Christian Cassar, were only good for a start on the substitutes’ bench.

This confirms that Danilo Doncic’s squad has expanded considerably and there is no doubt that Floriana have again become a true force to be reckoned with in local football.

There’s nothing wrong with the Floriana followers dreaming about a League title after 15 long seasons in the wilderness. Their last title dates back to season 1992-93. Such a former famous club deserves a lot better!

Pieta did not maintain their recent form. In fact, after suffering the opener in the first half, I expected them to retaliate, but their rally never materialised and, in the second half, Floriana scored at will, even if the fourth goal should have never been allowed to stand!

The other match between Hibernians and champions Marsaxlokk finished in a draw, but this was no surprise at all, considering the balance between the two teams.

It might be said that the champions missed out on the chance of sharing the leadership with Floriana, but Hibernians gained a precious point, even if they were even more satisfied with their performance, following which they should have deserved something much better.

The champions are finding it more difficult than last season. Of course, they are missing Dimech in defence, Schembri and Bogdanovic up in front. Yet, they are still among the leading teams in the standings and everything may still happen till the end of the season.