Valletta almost lost their unbeaten record against Marsaxlokk on Sunday and despite the late equaliser, they still failed to make the most of Birkirkara’s earlier slip, when the Stripes were held to a 1-1 draw by the Spartans.

The citizens seem to be losing their first phase consistency as in their last few matches they have figured in four draws – two against Marsaxlokk and another two against Hamrun, apart from the victory against Floriana.

On Sunday, they failed to take command against a Marsaxlokk side which has shown tremendous progress since the start of the year.

And when the southern seasiders scored seven minutes from the end, it seemed as if Valletta were heading towards their first defeat of the season.

Their sheer determination and fighting spirit, however, saw them through as Ryan Fenech was once again their hero, scoring an equaliser two minutes from full time.

Despite the draw, the citizens remain comfortably placed at the top, six points ahead of second placed Birkirkara.

In my opinion, Marsaxlokk obtained the best result of the weekend. Coach Patrick Curmi must be commended for his tactical ploy which saw his midfield sharing the exchanges with their more renowned opponents, despite the absence of injured international midfielder Jamie Pace in the City ranks.

Following this draw, Marsaxlokk remain firmly in contention for an Europa League placing, two points behind second placed Birkirkara and one behind third placed Floriana.

Curmi’s boys are aware that this is their only chance of making it to European football next season as they have already been eliminated from the FA Trophy.

In the early match on Sunday, Birkirkara were expected to go all out for the three points against the Spartans.

But despite a battling game, they gained just one point from a draw during which newcomer Babatunde missed a penalty and Kumbravicius was unlucky, hitting the post on one occasion and seeing goalie Borg denying him near the end.

Paul Zammit’s side was shocked when Hamrun took the lead early in the second half. But at least they did not miss all, as they fought back to equalise and take home a point which keeps them in second place.

The Spartans did not steal anything. They were resolute at the back and when they attacked they also provided the Stripes defence with some problems.

The draw enables the Spartans to keep hoping for an eventual place in the Europa League next season. They are still sixth and last in the standings but only four points separate them from second placed Birkirkara with eight more matches still to be played.

Floriana returned to winning form with a big bang, beating Tarxien Rainbows by five goals to one.

It was a deserved victory for the Greens who made sure of the result by the end of the first half. It was also the perfect debut for new coach Michael Woods after the dismissal last week of Todor Raykov.

The result kept the Greens well in contention but what was most reassuring was their performance and the great hat-trick scored by central defender Tyrone Farrugia, certainly one of their best acquisitions this season.

Tarxien seem to have lost the plot now after their second consecutive defeat. In just one week, they have dropped from second to fifth place in the standings even if nothing is lost yet.

However, Noel Coleiro’s side needs to get a positive result as quickly as possible to get back on track as they are now three points behind the Stripes.

In the Relegation Pool there was only one match this weekend as the Sliema-Hibernians match on Monday evening had to be postponed (it is now being played on Friday).

In the only game, Qormi outplayed Vittoriosa and ran out easy 4-1 winners on a rain-swept pitch. For Qormi, Mifsud was back to his scoring standards notching a good brace, but one could also notice a big improvement at the back in comparison with other recent matches.

For Vittoriosa, it has now become a very sturdy uphill battle. With only four matches to go, their only chance is to reach Hibernians who are five points above them in the standings.

Apart from winning all their remaining matches, the Stars also have to rely on the results of the matches involving the Paolites. If the latter beat Sliema on Friday, the relegation issue will become practically solved.

Michael Mifsud (Qormi FC)

My choice this week falls on the Yellow Blacks national team player Michael Mifsud who richly deserved the good round of applause from his side’s fans when he was substituted a few minutes from the end.

Not only did he score two of his side’s four goals, but he mesmerised the Stars defence whenever he had the ball at his feet – on many occasions he had to be stopped illegally to control his incursions.

Although somewhat unexpectedly playing in the Relegation Pool, Mifsud is confirming that he has lost nothing of his scoring touch despite having been out of club action since May 2010.

He may yet give Qormi some satisfaction – they are among the last eight in the FA Trophy.

Top scorers

14 goals T. Scerri (Valletta)

13 goals A. Effiong (Marsaxlokk)

11 goals G. Spiteri (Hamrun S.)

9 goals D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)

8 goals JP Mifsud Triganza (Sliema W.)

7 goals C. Dos Santos Rodrigues (Tarxien R.), E. Lattes (Birkirkara)

6 goals I. Woods (Floriana), A. Ewurum, E. Dos Santos (Vittoriosa S.), D. Nwoke (Floriana), D. Mariano Bueno, S. Pacheco de Oliveira (Tarxien R.), Jackson Lima, O. Obiefule (Sliema W.), Paul McManus (Hibernians)