Valletta FC are the undisputed leaders - albeit by a mere one point over Hibernians - as the first round of the first phase came to an end the past weekend. The citizens had to labour more than expected to beat the administration plagued Marsaxlokk side. In other matches concerning the top half of the table, Floriana, Birkirkara and Sliema W. returned to winning form. At the other end of the table, Hamrun registered an important win while Marsaxlokk, Tarxien and Mosta were again on the receiving end.

Henry Brincat takes a look at the situation after the 11th round of matches.

Valletta were made to sweat once again - this time by Marsaxlokk - as they collected three more points from a 2-0 win which put them back at the top of the standings, one point ahead of second placed Hibernians.

Valletta were under pressure to deliver after the Paolites had scored an impressive and resounding 4-0 win against Qormi the previous day.

But Jesmond Zerafa’s boys had to suffer a lot before eventually claiming all the three points. Not that they were not superior to Marsaxlokk. Far from it, but it is obvious that they seem to be struggling to find last season’s form which enabled them to run away with all opposition.

One might also state that Valletta were thwarted by young goalkeeper Christian Cassar, between the Marsaxlokk posts, especially in the first half. In fact, till the citizens scored their first goal, it seemed as if this youngster would be able to stop anything thrown at him.

It is evident, more than ever before, that every team (Marsaxlokk included) goes out to beat the champions even if the southern seasiders are a financially troubled club at present and the players are not physically prepared as the other clubs’ players simply because there has been no one replacing the departed coach Winston Muscat three weeks ago.

The yellow blues must be commended for putting up such a spirited display against the champions. Had they snatched something from this match, they would not have robbed anything as all the players played their hearts out, keeping the City fans anxious till almost the final whistle, that is, when Zongo scored the assuring second goal.

On Saturday, Hibernians did more than expected of them as they brushed aside Qormi’s feeble challenge in a 4-0 win that had lifted them temporarily to the top.

Although the victory was surrounded with controversy over the award of the third goal, there was no doubt as to who was master on the field of play on that day.

The award of that goal might have been harsh on Qormi, but by then, Hibs had already been 2-0 ahead and showing supremacy.

However, one must admit it could have made a difference. In fact, had Qormi scored early in the second half with a 2-0 scoreline, the match would have been re-opened. And no one could have predicted the outcome.

In any case, none of this happened and the Paolites could cruise to a comfortable win which made their fans forget all about the previous week’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Floriana.

For Qormi, it was a big setback. Before the match, they have been occupying joint third place with Floriana. But after Floriana, Birkirkara and Sliema won their matches at the weekend, they now find themselves occupying joint fifth place with Sliema - on 17 points.

Qormi were hampered by the absence of their suspended captain Joseph Farrugia who had been one of their pillars in their rather bright start to the season. Moreover, the withdrawal of an injured Daniel Nwoke early in the match did not help their cause either.

Floriana returned to winning form on Saturday - but only just. In fact they had to wait till the very last few minutes to secure a 3-2 win against unlucky bottom side Mosta on Friday evening.

The Greens were only a shadow of the team that a week earlier had managed a 1-1 draw against then leaders Hibernians. With coach Michael Woods ruled out through suspension and missing the services of injured striker Ivan Woods, they lacked ideas and it was no surprise that Mosta took what looked like a healthy 2-0 lead before the interval.

The Blues, however, lost all their concentration early in the second half when they allowed Floriana to pull back a goal to get back into contention. And the Greens made the most of the occasion, albeit late in the match and also in a somewhat lucky manner.

Before those fatal minutes, Mosta appeared to be heading towards a victory. They had been playing well and the lively Gilbert Martin as well as Ian Zammit were wreaking havoc in the Floriana defence. In fact, they could have led by three, not two goals at the interval.

But they were definitely unlucky to suffer those two goals in the final stages apart from the fact that they came through shots being deflected by their own players!

Birkirkara also returned to winning form on Friday as they came from behind to beat a gallant Balzan side by the odd goal in three.

The Stripes had to work hard for their victory, especially after seeing their opponents taking an early lead. Paul Zammit’s boys, in fact, were finding it difficult to penetrate despite some good build-up and in the first half, they only created two or three scoring chances.

But in the second half, after getting an equaliser, they simply never looked back and that brilliant overhead kick goal from Moises Avila Perez gave them a deserved three points.

For Balzan, it was a halt to a positive run, but the team is still well placed in mid-table on 11 points, though only one above Marsaxlokk and Tarxien, who have 10. Despite the defeat, their performance was reassuring and encouraging in view of their forthcoming commitments in the second round.

Sliema finally registered a victory after a five-match winless run as they beat Tarxien Rainbows 3-0.

Tarxien suffered their first defeat since Patrick Curmi took over. This time, they could do nothing against a much improved Sliema side.

The Wanderers were lively throughout as, apart from the three goals, they also created further chances which could have increased their tally had they been taken.

On Thursday - the weekend was spread over four days - Hamrun did well to beat Mqabba and also move on to the 11-point mark.

It was a much needed win for the Spartans after their recent disappointments but the scoreline does not really reflect what actually happened on the field of play.

Mqabba were subdued by a superior Spartans side and it was only near the end that they scored their two goals which made the result more respectable.

Best player

Christian Cassar

(Marsaxlokk FC)

Rarely does such an honour fall on a goalkeeper, but Reuben Gauci’s substitute between the Marsaxlokk posts on Sunday afternoon deserves this accolade.

He was undoubtedly the star of the afternoon as he pulled a string of fine saves to keep the citizens at bay for a whole hour before succumbing to Gilbert Agius’ goal – the first of city’s two.

His performance was certainly the highlight of the past weekend. After such a splendid display in which his talents emerged clearly, I feel it is safe to say that this goalie has a bright future ahead.

Top scorers

14 goals - Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians)

10 – Obinna Obifuele (Marsaxlokk)

8 - Joseph Farrugia (Qormi), Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara), Clayton Failla (Hibernians)

6 – Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien R.), Bojan Mamic, Thiago Mazzitelli (Mqabba), Danial Mitev (Sliema W.)

Next matches

Friday 18 November

(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)

7.30pm Tarxien R.-Valletta

Saturday 19 November

(at Hibernians Stadium)

2pm Mqabba-Floriana

4pm Hibernians-Sliema W.

Sunday 20 November

(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)

2pm Mosta-Marsaxlokk

4.15pm Hamrun S.-Balzan Y.

Monday 21 November

(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)

7.30pm Qormi-Birkirkara