The 14th round of matches offered just one surprise - at the lower end of the standings - where bottom placed Mosta defeated Balzan Youths to breathe a new lease of life with better hopes for salvation. Mqabba and Hamrun also registered important wins. Valletta and Hibernians have maintained their impressive run at the top, winning their matches comfortably, while old rivals Floriana and Sliema figured in a goalless draw.

Henry Brincat takes a look at the situation after the 14th round.

What appeared to be a tricky match for Valletta against Qormi turned out to be a very easy victory as the champions finally showed some of their true mettle, especially during the first half.

Jesmond Zerafa’s boys went out determined - right from the very first whistle - to take the match under their control and they did just that in a very convincing manner.

By the 34th minute, they had already established a 4-0 lead and had they not allowed Qormi to see more of the ball in the second half, they might have obtained a tennis score.

The citizens played their best football this season in the first half with most of them collaborating to make Alfred Effiong’s day a memorable one.

The Nigerian striker proved his worth with a magnificent hat-trick that keeps the Citizens on top of the standings.

For Qormi, it was a nightmarish performance, especially in the first half. It seemed as if they did not know what had hit them. Apart from Valletta having one of their best days since the start of the season, they helped their more illustrious opponents in no small measure with some slipshod defending which led to at least three of City’s four goals.

In the second half, Stephen Azzopardi’s boys fought gallantly but it was too late to make a recovery, even if they managed to pull one back - poor consolation for all their efforts.

Hibernians replied to City’s fine victory by crushing a poor Birkirkara side in a 5-0 rout.

It is useless to write stories here. The Paolites cantered to an easy win against very disappointing opposition.

The Stripes, in fact, seem to have started a dangerous slide which might see them ending the second round among the Relegation Pool contenders. They have won just one point from their last three matches.

Paul Zammit’s side only appeared to be doing something to save the match briefly in the second half (although the score was already 2-0), but two more quick goals from the Paolites put paid to their remote hopes of forcing a comeback.

From now on, the Stripes will have to make giant strides forward if they are to maintain their Top Six berth.

The Sliema-Floriana Old Firm clash ended with each side content with a point apiece.

It was a match in which both sides left much to be desired. In fact, actions in front of goal were few and far between although Sliema seemed to have created a few more opportunities than their rivals.

But all in all, the draw was the fairest result in this match following which, Floriana - thanks to the defeats of Qormi and Birkirkara - consolidated their third place. Sliema, on their part, have now joined Qormi and Birkirkara on the 20-point mark.

At the bottom end of the standings, Balzan were dealt a setback as their positive run came to an end against a fresh looking Mosta side which has now won five points from a possible nine in their last three matches.

Steve D’Amato must be more than satisfied with the performances of his boys since he took over. After two draws, now comes this first win which has moved the side to the 11th place on 10 points, the same as Tarxien, but the Blues have a better goal difference.

Mosta will certainly be a hard nut to crack for all teams in this second round, especially when they are strengthened with the arrival of their new players from Marsaxlokk in January.

Balzan failed to maintain their positive run (two consecutive wins). Against Mosta, they never showed the determination and commitment they had shown in those two victories with Calcado well under the control of the Mosta defence.

Hamrun Spartans did well to return to winning form, beating Tarxien for three valuable points, even if they remain fourth from bottom.

The Spartans showed better form than of late as they annihilated the Rainbows, especially in the first half. It was only after they scored a third goal early in the second half that the Rainbows came back into the match.

They pulled one back from a controversial penalty and almost scored another one a few minutes later. Had they scored that goal, I might have been writing a different story as there was still plenty of time left till the end.

But the Spartans held on till the very end to collect the three points, sending the Rainbows to bottom place.

Mqabba’s victory over Marsaxlokk was deserved, but it could have gone all wrong had the losers made the most of a good chance to equalise late in the match.

With that rare chance missed, Mqabba could safely collect the three points to keep Marsaxlokk third from bottom while they advanced to the eighth place on 15 points.

Best player

Clayton Failla (Hibernians)

The Hibs left flanker is my pick this week after another fine performance, this time against Birkirkara.

Failla has been going through a massive season with the Paolites. He seems to be enjoying himself back at Hibernians, after a lean spell at Sliema.

On Sunday his workrate was very impressive. And not only, he also contrived to score one of the five goals.

There is no doubt that he is back to his best form this season.

Top scorers

16 goals - Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians)

10 – Obinna Obiefule (Marsaxlokk)

9 - Clayton Failla (Hibernians)

8 - Joseph Farrugia (Qormi), Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara), Alfred Effiong (Valletta), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)

7 - Thiago Mazzitelli (Mqabba)

6 – Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien R.), Bojan Mamic (Mqabba), Danial Mitev (Sliema W.), William Barbosa (Valletta), J. Pereira da Silva (Qormi), A. Mendes Ribeiro (Hamrun)