Hibernians remained sole leaders at the end of the sixth round of matches before the break for the international matches. Floriana, Sliema and Qormi, from among the top clubs, failed to get the three points. The Paolites defeated neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows in the first big derby of the season, while Valletta kept in touch despite struggling to beat Mqabba. Floriana shared the honours with Qormi, while Sliema were held to a draw by a plucky Balzan side. Birkirkara, who have re-appointed Paul Zammit as their coach, returned to winning form after three matches, as they beat Marsaxlokk. In the other match, Hamrun Spartans obtained their first win against luckless Mosta.

Henry Brincat analyses the situation as one fourth of the campaign is almost over.

Hibernians remained sole leaders at the end of the sixth round of matches as they won the first derby of the season against Tarxien Rainbows thanks to two second half goals.

It was a victory which, once again, confirmed the potential of this Hibernians side this season.

In the first half, however, they never showed the flair and enthusiasm they had been showing in their previous matches. But everything changed in the second half after Mark Miller’s pep talk in the dressing room.

The team witnessed in the second half was more determined and it did not take them long to gain command.

However, it was thanks to goalkeeper Mario Muscat’s penalty save off Mariano Bueno’s kick that they kept their lead before going on to score a second for good measure.

The Rainbows fought hard all the way, but at the end, they had to succumb to superior opponents.

Valletta had to struggle more than expected to get the three points from their match against Mqabba. The latter provided very decent opposition and only threw in the towel in the final quarter of an hour when they suffered two goals which gave the citizens a 4-2 win.

One must say that Valletta sadly missed the services of the suspended Gilbert Agius, Ryan Fenech and Steve Borg. At the end, they must have been relieved that they won the three points in the circumstances.

Mqabba confirmed their good moment, but could not hold on till the very end. It was a pity as they had showed that they could withstand all that had been thrown at them by the citizens, especially in the first half when they twice hit back to level matters.

On Friday evening, Floriana missed the opportunity to go top at least for one day, as they figured in a 1-1 draw with Qormi.

It was a fair result in a match in which neither team dominated.

Daniel Nwoke, now on the books of Qormi, was playing his first match against his old team-mates and it was he who scored the opening goal of the match to put his side ahead.

At that moment, it was the Greens who had appeared the more likely to score, but Qormi were well organised at the back.

Floriana had to wait till 20 minutes from the end to get their deserved equaliser, but Qormi could have snatched the three points had Nwoke not missed a good opportunity as he saw his flick from close in hitting the post.

At the end, both teams must have been satisfied with a point apiece. It confirmed the progress made by both teams recently.

In Friday’s second match, Birkirkara returned to winning form as they beat Marsaxlokk by the odd goal in three.

It was a big sigh of relief for the Stripes who were playing under the charge of Peter Pullicino after Patrick Curmi quit after reaching an amicable agreement with the club’s administration on Thursday. As from Sunday, the returning coach Paul Zammit will be at the helm.

The Stripes had to wait till the second half to take command of proceedings. In fact, they scored twice – the second one of rare beauty by Moises Avila Perez.

It was then that they could really sense that they were back on the winning trail, even if Marsaxlokk reduced the deficit three minutes into added time.

But by then it was too late for the southern seasiders to save anything from this match. They remain struggling near the bottom of the standings. But this was definitely a better performance than their recent ones.

One must also say that on at least two occasions, it was Stripes goalie Jorge Mora who denied them with two good saves.

For Birkirkara, the victory served as a boost in view of their forthcoming match against Valletta.

Sliema missed the bus on Saturday as they figured in a 1-1 draw with Balzan Youths.

The Blues remain unbeaten, but such draws mean that they lose two points every time and this is certainly effecting their position in the standings.

Danilo Doncic’s tactics failed against those used by Ivan Zammit’s boys. The Youths played a diligent game and when it seemed as if they would be overrun by the Wanderers when the latter took the lead early, they found the courage to come back into the game and apart from scoring an equaliser, they could have also snatched victory in the late stages.

Hamrun Spartans finally tasted victory as they beat bottom placed Mosta by a solitary goal.

After that initial win against Balzan which was overturned on the table following a protest, they had to wait for this sixth match to register a win and they were made to fight hard for it by a stubborn, but still luckless Mosta side.

Oliver Spiteri’s boys thus remain at the bottom with just one point from six matches, while Hamrun have joined Marsaxlokk and Tarxien on four points.

Best player

Christian Caruana (Floriana FC)

My choice this week falls on the nippy Floriana and Malta striker Christian Caruana who was again a protagonist for his side in the 1-1 draw against Qormi the past weekend.

Caruana has been in sizzling form since the start of the season and it was no surprise that he was named Man of the Match on Friday evening. He was definitely the best player on the field of play.

His performances, especially that against Qormi, show that the player is very talented. No doubt he has deserved his inclusion in John Buttigieg’s national team squad.