The Paolites lead the standings on 42 points from 16 games after a very difficult win against Mosta who gave them a good run for their money. Mosta lie in sixth position on 21 points also from 16 games. It was a hard-fought game which was ably controlled by young and promising referee Matthew Degabriele who had firm control of the proceedings.

Leyton Micallef served Kurt Zammit in the Paola area but Hibs keeper Nicholas Grima foiled him from concluding with a timely sortie. From the same action he sereved Matthew Thorne with a long drop kick, who in turn served Clyde Vella in the area but Azzopardi foiled him with a timely clearance.

Kurt Zammit served Layton Micallef in the area but again Grima foiled him with a timely sortie and the same player served Micallef with a cross from the left but Scott Chircop foiled him from further progression with a timely clearance.

The last action before the break came from Paola as Wayne Mizzi was fouled outside the area but Brandon Muscat drove well over the bar from the resultant free kick.

The Paolites enjoyed the lion's share of exchanges after resumption. Mizzi was fouled on the right flank and Johann Bezzina floated a peerfect ball in the area from the free kick which created havoc in Mosta's area but somehow the ball was cleared away. Matthew Thorne served Mizzi in the area but Mosta keeper Roberto Vella foiled him with a timely sortie, from the same action he served Steve Schembri with a long drop kick and was fouled outside the area, Micallef served Giancarlo Sammut from the free kick but he he lobbed slightly over the bar from inside the area.

In the 44th minute Paola H came very close to open the score as Thorne served Mizzi in the area and Steve Schembri cleared the ball on the fatal line after Mizzi's hard grounder with Vella beaten.

In the 52nd minute Rainer Curmi served Muscat on the right flank who after advancing executed a cross and the ball hit the upper part of the bar and finished out.

A minute before normal time Hibs were reduced to ten men as Brandon Muscat was shown the red card after a second booking. Hibs opened the score in the second minute of added time. A Mosta player was caught in an off side position in Hibs' half, the free kick was taken by the Paola keeper who floated a long and high ball in Mosta's area which came in the path of substitute Darren Sciberras. Vella partially saved his close-range shot and Thorne was on hand to score with a low hard drive from the rebound.

And in the fourth minute of added time Hibs scored a second goal: Clyde Vella served Johann Bezzina with a through ball in the area and as Vella was out of his charge he scored with a lobbed ball.

Referee: Matthew Degabriele

Player of the match: Clyde Vella (PaolaH)

APS Bank U-15 Section A

Birkirkara 1

St Andrew 2

The strong North-Westerly wind at Luxol Ground rendered ball control very difficult, and at times both sets of players committed the gravest of mistakes by playing long and high balls.

After this resullt Birkirkara are in fifth position on 21 points from 16 games while St Andrew are in penultimate position with 13 points also from 16 games.

The first period was a balanced affair and the first two occasions were created by St Andrew.

Nicholas Bradshaw served Luke Mercieca with a cross from the left but Stripes keeper Jonathan Martinelli saved his shot from outside the area. Mercieca served Clyde Cumbo with a square pass but he missed the upright from inside the area.

Lynden Ellul floated a a free kick inside the Saints’ area but a defender headed the ball away, and in St Andrews' next attack in the 8th minute they opened the score.

A Stripes defender handled the ball outside the area. Bradshaw took charge of the resultant free kick and scored with a rising shot as Martinelli fumbled the ball.

The last two actions before the break were created by St Andrew. Mercieca was fouled outside the area and from the free kick shot by Bradshaw the ball hit the defensive barrier and was cleared away to safety and Karl Mifsud Bonnici served Bradshaw in the area but he drove well over the bar.

The Saints enjoyed the lion's share of exchanges after resumption. Adden Galea was fouled on the left edge of the area and Saints keeper Gianluca Felice saved Camenzuli’s free kick.

At the other end, Michael Johnson was fouled outside the area, Luke Cesareo served substitute Nicky Scerri with a short free kick, who then served Johnson with a through ball and, after Martinelli partly saved his shot, the ball was somehow cleared.

Birkirkara equalised in the 41st minute as Christopher Cortis served Galea on the right flank and as he was fouled, Camenzuli floated a perfect ball in the area and Luke Montebello scored with a close-range header.

In a Birkirkara rare attack, Julian Gatt served Montebello in the area but Felice foiled him with a timely sortie.

Two minutes before the end St Andrew scored the winner. Cesareo was fouled on the left edge of the area, Clyde Cumbo floated a perfect free kick with Martinelli managing only a partial save and Luke Mercieca was on hand to score from the rebound with an over-head kick.

Referee: Roderick Sciberras

Player of the match:N.Bradshaw (St Andrew)