It was another interesting programme at the top of the Premier League the past weekend.

Valletta brushed aside Hamrun’s hopes of challenging seriously for the title as a Sebastian Monesterolo grand hat-trick enabled them to sink their adversaries to the tune of 4-1.

However, champions Marsaxlokk and immediate followers Floriana and Sliema Wanderers all won their weekend clashes to maintain the pace at the top.

In the process, there was more woe for Hamrun Spartans and Hibernians (the latter beaten heavily by Marsaxlokk) as they now face some anxious weeks before knowing their fate.

Their direct clash at the end of the first phase may probably be a decider for a place in the Top Six – or in the Relegation Pool.

The Valletta-Hamrun S. clash on Saturday brought about memories of the great rivalry that existed between both clubs in the 1980s and early 1990s, that is, when Hamrun were led by Victor Tedesco and Valletta by Joe Caruana Curran, as their respective presidents.

The crowd at Ta’ Qali befitted the occasion as both sets of supporters were numerous on the terraces and both sides brought along all kind of flags, streamers and banners to provide the real atmosphere for a local football derby. We had rarely seen such vociferous support in recent seasons at Ta’ Qali, except perhaps, when Birkirkara challenged Valletta a few years ago.

However, I must condemn what happened, especially in the later stages of the match, from the part of the Hamrun fans. They had earlier provoked the Valletta fans with their chanting of unwarranted insulting songs. Luckily, there were no repercussions. In fact, it was good to note that the Valletta fans never retaliated to such provocation at that moment.

However what was really unwarranted was the breaking of so many seats at the Hamrun end of the Enclosure as Valletta practically made sure of their win with two quick goals in the second half.

A few missiles also arrived at the VIP area and this despite the presence of MFA President Dr Joe Mifsud, who will certainly not need the match observer’s report or a film of the incidents to hear and get to know what happened.

What led to such banal action by the Hamrun fans is unknown. What we know is that there was some in-fighting at that end, but it seemed to be well under the control of the Police.

The fans, especially those responsible for such damage to the stadium, must be known to the Police ?they were acting right in front of their eyes. They should all be brought to justice. After all, it is the club which will now be facing a heavy penalty from the MFA for such irresponsible behaviour by a small minority of their loyal fans. If the perpetators of such violence become known, that will enable the administration team of the Spartans to take action against them in the club’s own interest.

As to the game, Valletta appeared to be well ahead of the Spartans and they simply merited their win. With Monesterolo in such scoring form, there was no way of stopping them. He scored a magnificent hat-trick to enable Valletta to make sure of a place in the Top Six.

The citizens’ victory grows in stature when one considers that they had to play without their suspended star schemer and captain Gilbert Agius. However, they will be glad to see their skipper back for next Saturday’s important clash against Sliema W.

On their part, the Spartans will certainly regret this second consecutive defeat. It came at a time which is so crucial with regard to the future this season.

They have remained in fifth place in the standings, just two points ahead of Hibernians who are in seventh place. Yet, the Spartans seem to have a much more difficult programme than the Paolites till the end of the first phase.

Of course, not all is lost, but the defeat and the incidents of last Saturday will certainly lower the morale of the club.

On Saturday, champions Marsaxlokk continued with their current positive run as they crushed Hibernians under a five-goal avalanche.

Brian Talbot’s boys produced another good performance to annihilate the Paolites who now have to win their forthcoming two matches against Pieta and Msida to retain hopes of playing in the Top Six.

It was the champions’ third convincing win in a row after having emerged victorious against Birkirkara (3-1) and Floriana (4-1).

Robert Gatt’s boys were simply inexistent in this match. True that they played without influential striker Terence Scerri who was suspended, but I never expected the Paolites to be so weak, especially at the back, where Marsaxlokk did what they practically wanted in the second half.

The Paolites will certainly have to pull up their socks and get back to business if they wish to avoid trouble in the second part of the season.

On Sunday, as was widely expected, Floriana and Sliema conquered the points easily after beating Pieta Hotspurs and Mqabba respectively.

The Greens had to wait till the second half to produce their victory over the Hotspurs. Now they are just a win from making sure of their place in the Championship Pool and they could do that in their next encounter against Msida.

Sliema are also on the same wavelength as the Greens, but their programme is more difficult as their forthcoming matches are against Valletta and Marsaxlokk. However, their last match is against Pieta Hotspurs.

Best player

Sebastian Monesterolo (Valletta)

Valletta’s Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo is my choice this week after his grand hat-trick against Hamrun on Sunday in City’s 4-1 win.

Last month he was on the verge of being released by Valletta president Victor Sciriha after a rather poor start to the season, but since then he scored eight league goals and another against Juventus to become runaway top scorer in Maltese football and make sure that he remains with Valletta, at least until the end of the season.

Next matches

Saturday 26 January

(at Ta?Qali Stadium)

2pm Msida SJ-Birkirkara

4pm Sliema W.-Valletta

Sunday 27 January

(at Hibernians Ground)

1pm Mqabba-Marsaxlokk

3pm Hibernians-Pieta H.

Top scorers

13 goals - Sebastian Monesterolo (Valletta)

8 - Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun), Ian Zammit (Valletta)

7 - Etienne Barbara (Sliema W.), Ryan Darmanin (Floriana), Malcolm Licari (Marsaxlokk)

6 - Njongo Priso (Msida SJ), Marcelo Periera (Mqabba), Terence Scerri (Hibs), Stefan Sultana (Hamrun S.), Mark Barbara (Marsaxlokk)

5 - Alfred Effiong (Hamrun S.), Pedro dos Santos Calcado (Msida SJ), Edward Herrera (Pieta H.)

4 - A. Cohen, A. Mifsud (Hibs), Alexsander Madzar, I. Woods (Sliema W.), Manolito Micallef (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo, J. Alcorse (Marsaxlokk), R. Hartvig (B’Kara)