The weekend matches saw the top six teams facing those six at the lower end of the standings. But while Valletta, Hibernians and Floriana maintained their winning trend, Qormi Birkirkara and Sliema dropped further points to remain firmly distanced from the top three. Balzan’s win against Qormi was the greatest surprise, but the Youths are now well placed to challenge for a surprise Top Six place.

Henry Brincat takes a glance at the situation after the 13th round of matches.

Valletta and Hibernians found little difficulty in disposing of their heavily depleted opponents the past weekend, while Floriana found more resistance from Tarxien Rainbows, despite, albeit still finishing on the winning side.

The top trio just what was expected of them confirming, if there was ever any need, that they are all living in a street of a superior level that the remaining nine teams in the competition.

I have no doubt that, barring any major surprise, they will all be the top three in the Championship Pool, but after the defeat for Qormi against Balzan and the draws for Birkirkara and Sliema, it has now become a four-horse race between these mentioned clubs for the remaining three sports in the Championship Pool.

To Ivan Zammit’s Balzan fell the honour of providing the major surprise this weekend as they (Calcado) struck twice late in the game to sink Qormi.

The Youths have confirmed that they are not to be ignored. After having gone close to holding Birkirkara to a draw, they returned to winning form even if in the first 85 minutes of their matches against Qormi, they had gone through several anxious moments before eventually they won the match.

Let me make myself clear. I think they stole nothing as they fought every inch of the Victor Tedesco Stadium pitch and although Qormi had dominated and also created some good chances, it must also be admitted that Balzan were very well organised at the back and in midfield as they contained Qormi’s efforts with relative ease.

Qormi must say ‘mea culpa’ for having lost this match. They should have wrapped it up at least early in the second half when they missed a couple of good scoring chances which came their way.

They have now been joined by Birkirkara on the 20-point mark and are followed by Sliema on 19 and Balzan on 17. It is certainly going to be a very interesting battle for the three Championship Pool berths available between these four teams.

Birkirkara once again disappointed their supporters who, slowly but surely, are deserting their favourites.

Their main problem on Sunday was the difficulty in finding their opponents’ net despite enjoying the lion’s share of the attacking.

The squad built during the past summer seemed to have a strong potential. I had considered them as the strongest challengers to Valletta, considering everything. But it was not to be. And what a disappointment they have been so far!

As usual, the Stripes seem to have made the worst decisions with regards to their foreign line-up. It is evident that those in their squad do not seem to be of a better level than the local players. But it is unfair to level criticism at these players only. Even the locals, such as Trevor Cilia, Paul Fenech, Joe Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras and Angus Buhagiar, have failed to show their true mettle.

The return of Paul Zammit has certainly done little to improve the situation at the club which now seems quite bleak.

If the club wants to maintain its ever present record in the European club competitions in the past 16 years, then they will have to pull up their socks and do something much better - at player and administration levels.

All credit should go to Steve D’Amato’s Mosta. The bottom placed club has now gone through two positive results in the second round and it is evident that the commitment being shown by the players will enable them to acquire more important points in their quest to improve their position and perhaps also avoid being relegated immediately.

Valletta would have been favourites just the same to beat a fully-fledged Hamrun side, but with the Spartans, forced to field a heavily depleted starting squad, it became much easier for the Citizens.

In fact, it was just a stroll, even if Denni dos Santos contrived to miss a penalty a few minutes into the match.

For the Spartans, this was no setback. They must have expected – like everyone else – such a defeat. Now they will have to rebuild their morale to face their forthcoming matches with more enthusiasm and determination, especially those against the other teams in the same hot waters.

Hibernians also enjoyed a stroll. They were also short of two of their best players – top scorer Luis Edison dos Santos and Marcelo Dias – but with crisis-hit Marsaxlokk also fielding a new look side due to the many impending departures, it was an easy victory for the Paolites.

With the absence of those two players, it was youngster Steve Pisani – an Under 21 international – who emerged as the club’s hero, scoring the two goals in the first half.

Otherwise, the match had no story as the Paolites dominated from start to finish, playing at a canter.

It was more misery for Marsaxlokk as the team faces more troubled times ahead.

Floriana did well to beat Tarxien Rainbows to consolidate their third place – they are now a good six points ahead of Qormi and Birkirkara.

But they must admit they were advantaged by the fact that Tarxien lost two of their best players - Daniel Mariano Bueno and Stefan Giglio - through injury, early in the game.

This certainly left a negative effect on Patrick Curmi’s side which had started the match on a good note. To be exact, the Rainbows only threw in the towel after conceding the goal.

For the Greens, it was Grabowski who proved his worth by scoring the goal that gave them the three points.

Best player

Andre Grabowski

(Floriana FC)

The Floriana FC striker Andre Grabowski is my pick this week following another fine performance for his side in the 1-0 win against Tarxien Rainbows.

He was certainly the inspiration behind the Greens’ win. He not only scored the goal that mattered, but was also vital in the team’s build up with his runs consolidating Floriana’s hold on midfield and attack during the second half.

Grabowski is certainly proving to be his money’s worth in the Floriana ranks. He has certainly been one of the best bargains this season.

Top scorers

15 goals - Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians)

10 – Obinna Obifuele (Marsaxlokk)

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

7 - Thiago Mazzitelli (Mqabba), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)

6 – Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien R.), Bojan Mamic, Danial Mitev (Sliema W.), William Barbosa (Valletta)