It was a dramatic finish to the first phase of this season’s First Phase of the Bank of Valletta Premier League.

With Valletta, Tarxien, Floriana and Birkirkara already assured of their place in the Top Six, four of the six clubs in action yesterday were contesting the final two berths – and to avoid playing in the Relegation Pool.

These were Marsaxlokk, who were on 23 points, Qormi and Hamrun who were on 20 and Sliema who were on 19 points.

All three matches were played yesterday – on the same day, at the same time but at a different venue.

A tight finish had been anticipated and it was really tight till the very end, except for the match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium where Sliema crushed a poor Hibernians side 4-0.

At Ta’ Qali, Hamrun almost missed the bus in a most dramatic fashion.

After taking the lead, they saw the 10-man Vittoriosa side turning the 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead. The Spartans went on to equalise, but it was still not enough for them and their efforts brought them a penalty which was missed by Pereira. However, it was not over as their supporters could celebrate thanks to a third goal in the late stages.

The same happened at the Hibernians Stadium where a partially depleted Marsaxlokk thwarted Qormi – including recent expensive signing Michael Mifsud – and squeezed a 2-2 draw.

That result sent Marsaxlokk into Heaven while condemning Qormi to the Relegation Pool.

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Sliema supporters erupted with joy at the news that Hamrun were drawing and then losing 2-1 against Vittoriosa, while at that time, Marsaxlokk were drawing 1-1 with Qormi.

But their joy was shortlived as news of the goals at the other venues arrived at Hamrun. It was bad to see them leaving the Victor Tedesco Stadium in such disappointment,