The first batch of matches in the second round of the first phase offered no particular surprises. Valletta remained on top with the difference that they have now extended their lead over Hibernians to three points. Meanwhile, with the Paolites being held to a draw by the improving Sliema, Floriana consolidated their third place with a second consecutive last-gasp win, this time against Mqabba. Balzan and Qormi, perhaps, surprised the pundits - Balzan with a come from behind win against Hamrun Spartans to lift themselves to a healthy mid-table position in the standings and Qormi beating Birkirkara comfortably.

Henry Brincat takes a look at the situation after all the teams have played 12 matches.

Valletta extended their lead at the top to three points the past weekend bit it had to be a rather controversial decision by referee Alan Mario Sant that paved the way for their victory.

The sending off of Caio Garcia Suguino early in the second half certainly had an influence on the match’s pattern.

Until that moment, Valletta, despite showing the better ideas and having enjoyed territorial superiority, were being held to a 1-1 draw and never looked like being able to stamp their authority on the game against a well organised Rainbows side.

Then came the rather harsh dismissal of Suguino and the Rainbows – in 10 men – simply went to pieces. No team can afford to play with a man less against the Citizens even if they are not in their best form.

It was from then on, in fact, that Valletta took over completely, dominated and scored three times to ascertain their win rather easily.

The Rainbows were unlucky in the sense that it could have been another story had Suguino not been sent off. That second yellow card seemed to be a bit too much. Even if he fell to the ground, it did not seem as if he intended to simulate the action – in fact he never protested to get the foul. What is certain is that there was no foul from the Valletta player who confronted him.

However, the referee was closer to the action and he might have noticed something that might have escaped everyone’s attention.

On Saturday, Hibernians just managed to save a point – and their unbeaten record – as Brazilian top striker dos Santos struck late to equalise against an improving Sliema side.

The Paolites enjoyed territorial superiority, especially in the first half, but the Blues came back strongly into the match.

Danilo Doncic’s side appeared to have wrapped up the match as they took the lead five minutes from the end, but the Paolites showed all their character this season to fight back and earn a draw thanks to the usual Luis Edison dos Santos.

Floriana consolidated their third placing with yet another victory in the final moments.

Ryan Darmanin had been the provider for an equaliser against Mosta the previous weekend which paved the way for a 3-2 win. This week he was the protagonist as he scored the winner a minute from full time.

The Greens were very unimpressive in their performance as they struggled to find a way past the well organised Mqabba defence.

However, this win confirms their current consistency having maintained their undefeated run since the defeat against Valletta.

Mqabba must consider themselves very unlucky to have conceded defeat in the final moments.

They had done more than enough to merit one point from this encounter but that Darmanin goal near the end killed off all their hopes of obtaining a positive result.

On Monday evening, Qormi produced a good performance - especially in the second half - to beat a very poor Birkirkara side lacking any real commitment.

Qormi’s victory was richly deserved as they scored two fine goals - the first through Abubakar Bello-Osagie and the second through Jorge Pereira da Silva - in the second half at a time when they were playing with a man less on the field of play, that is, well before Birkirkara also had a player sent off to get both teams back on equal numerical strength.

The Stripes left their fans bitterly disappointed with a disjointed performance. They seemed to be lacking fighting spirit with two of their foreigners, Pereira and Avila Perez, almost inexistent throughout.

Coach Paul Zammit and the club’s administration will certainly have to work hard to strengthen the side in the January transfer window if they are to avoid any surprise which might see them out of a Top Six berth.

On Sunday, Hamrun were stunned by Balzan Youths in a much awaited clash following the outcome of the first round match.

Then, Hamrun had won the match 3-1 but Balzan had protested over the ineligibility of a player in the Spartans’ ranks. It was accepted by the MFA Protests Bard and the points were awarded to the Youths.

Hamrun seemed to be tasting sweet revenge on this occasion when, with only two minutes left for play, they were leading 1-0 and appearing well in control, despite having a man less on the field of play.

But it was not to be as the Youths hit back strongly, first to equalise and then to score a winner in added time.

Following this result, Hamrun remain third from bottom on 11 points, together with Marsaxlokk and Mqabba, while Balzan have moved on to the 14-point mark.

The goalless draw between Marsaxlokk and Mosta did little to improve the plight of both teams as their efforts to try and avoid the relegation pool seem to be diminishing with every match they play, especially Mosta.

The arrival of new coach Steve D’Amato at Mosta only served the team to avoid another defeat.

On the field, the Blues had much more of the play than their opponents but they failed to turn the chances that came their way into goals and that was their undoing.

Marsaxlokk were under the charge of Anton Cremona for the first time. Considering that they played without the services of Obinna Obiefule and Martin Deanov, then this must be considered as a satisfactory start for the new coach.

Perhaps it was a sign of better things to come for this troubled club.

Best player

Denni Rocha dos Santos

(Valletta FC)

The nippy Brazilian midfielder/striker is my pick this week after his fine performance against his former team Tarxien Rainbows on Friday evening.

It was perhaps the real shining light in the City team on Friday as he led the side to victory with his three goals.

There is no need to highlight this player’s credentials. Yet, on some occasions this season, he has been well off the mark but on Friday, he was at his best confirming that he can also be a top striker with three well taken goals.

Top scorers

15 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.), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)