It was another eventful weekend in the Bank of Valletta Premier League. The top three teams – Valletta, Hibernians and Floriana – all registered wins to maintain their positive run at the top. While Sliema were stunned by the defiant Balzan Youths side, Birkirkara returned to winning form, beating bottom-placed Marsaxlokk by a solitary goal. Mosta again missed two points after allowing Hamrun back into the game in the final seven minutes.

Henry Brincat takes a glance at what happened in the 17th round of matches the past weekend.

Valletta almost missed two precious points as they had to wait till the final moments to score what proved to be the winner against Mqabba.

Once again, the citizens failed to live up to expectations, but it is certainly positive that they have maintained their winning stance even when they do not entertain their fans.

Everyone is aware of the great potential in the City side, but what is important at present - as coach Jesmond Zerafa rightly admits - is the fact that they keep getting the results no matter the form being shown on the field of play.

Mqabba must have considered themselves quite unlucky to have left the field empty-handed.

It is true that they had to defend more, but they also provided a number of anxious moments for the champions.

Clive Mizzi’s boys were very close to upsetting their more illustrious opponents, but on Sunday’s form they must be hopeful of eventually saving their status despite their current precarious position.

On Saturday Hibernians did well to overcome what presented itself as a tricky match against neighbours Tarxien Rainbows.

In a derby match, it is always difficult for any team, but Hibernians managed to take strong control thanks to a 2-0 lead which they richly deserved.

Near the end, they suffered Tarxien’s pressure in the latter’s search for an equaliser. And it had to be goalie Muscat to save the day for them denying the Rainbows a draw near the end.

However, no one can say that the Paolites did not deserve to win.

They triumphed and took the three precious points, thus keeping their place ahead of third placed Floriana.

For Tarxien it was yet another defeat which keeps them rooted to the last but one place from the bottom.

Patrick Curmi’s side is still struggling and they need to start getting the points that matter which will be useful in the second phase when the points obtained in the first phase are divided by half.

Floriana also maintained their impressive positive run, extending it to seven matches - six wins and one draw. It is well to mention that Floriana’s last defeat was against Birkirkara on 31 October.

On Saturday, they defeated Qormi by the odd goal in three.

The Greens’ victory grows in stature when one considers that they beat the Yellow Blacks with 10 men and had to come from behind to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

The victory keeps them well within distance of second placed Hibernians. On such form, they might even become Valletta’s main challengers for the title come the second phase.

Qormi had started the match on a good note and even took the lead, but they seemed to have thought they had won it already especially when Floriana ended up in 10 men. As everyone knows, it was not to be, not against this Floriana side, which never gives up.

In the second half, I expected Qormi to come back strongly, but Floriana were determined to keep in front and they succeeded in keeping Qormi at bay to take all the three points.

Balzan made news again on Sunday as they claimed the scalp of another team above them in the standings – Sliema Wanderers.

The 3-2 injury time win may have also surprised the Youths themselves. Perhaps they had never expected to emerge winners from this encounter.

But in the process, they only confirmed that they are the revelation side this season.

In fact, I believe they stole nothing and Sliema must only blame themselves for missing the bus completely.

This defeat must be considered as a big setback for the Blues in their run-in for a Top Six berth. It was an opportunity for them to consolidate fourth place and extend their lead over three other challengers.

But they missed out. Having beaten Birkirkara at the death last week, this time it was their turn to suffer the same fate.

Birkirkara returned to winning form on Friday as they beat bottom placed Marsaxlokk by a solitary goal.

The Stripes must have sighed with relief at the end. In the lead after just five minutes, they went on to dominate. In fact, Marsaxlokk only threatened once, but it could have been fatal for Birkirkara.

The Stripes confirmed their current problem – lack of scoring punch. They played some really good football and created chances galore. But Perez, newcomer Santos Silva, Trevor Cilia, Paul Fenech, Sean Bajada and Leighton Grech, all missed easy chances which should have assured their side of the points much earlier than the 93rd minute.

In Friday’s first match, Mosta squandered a two-goal lead, allowing Hamrun to creep back and snatch a point from a 2-2 draw with goals in the space of four minutes in the final stages.

The Blues dominated this match and by the 83rd minute they should have built a stronger lead than the 2-0 they enjoyed.

But then came Hamrun’s first goal from a penalty and the ‘home’ side were back in contention, going on to save a point through Kevin Sammut’s fine equaliser which was certainly one of the best goals seen at the weekend.

The Spartans had been almost inexistent before they started their rally. Despite their attacks, they never seemed able to penetrate even if they also hit the post.