Floriana and Ħamrun Spartans sent a real statement of intent as the Closing Round of the 360 Sports Malta Premier got under way last weekend.
Here is a roundup of all the action from Matchday 17 by SportsDesk.
Floriana FC (4 – 0) Naxxar Lions FC
Floriana, winners of the Opening Round, enjoyed a comfortable start as they breezed past Naxxar Lions 4-0.
Franklin Sasere maintained his scoring form, netting a brace with the other goals coming from Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Owen Spiteri.
Marsaxlokk FC (1 – 6) Ħamrun Spartans FC
Ħamrun Spartans produced the performance of the weekend when they came from a goal down to hammer Marsaxlokk 6-1.
Carlos De Aguiar put Marsaxlokk ahead but that turned out to be a false dawn for the Southerners as the Spartans showed all their attacking force to turn the match on its head.
Brazilian striker Raphael Lopes Silva took centre stage with a stunning hat-trick while Talison and Eder were also on the scoresheet.
Luke Montebello wrapped up the points when he scored his 100th goal in his Premier League career.
Melita FC (2 – 3) Hibernians FC
Hibernians had to battle more than expected to see off a resilient Melita side 3-2.
Federico Falcone was the catalyst for the Paolites when he grabbed a brace, the second coming in stoppage time to clinch the points for his team. Lucas Caruana was the other scorer for Hibernians.
Marc Van Den Bovemkamp and Andre Simanca were on the mark for Melita.
Żabbar St. Patrick FC (1 – 0) Sliema Wanderers FC
Żabbar St Patrick stunned Sliema Wanderers 1-0.
Strahinja Jovancic grabbed the all-important goals for Żabbar against a Sliema side who finished the match with ten men.
Mosta FC (1 – 1) Gżira United FC
Mosta secured a 1-0 win over Gżira United with Clayton Failla rolling back the years with a stunning goal from a free-kick.
Birkirkara FC (5 – 2) Balzan FC
Birkirkara rounded up the opening match day when they came from behind to beat Balzan 5-2.
Maxuell Maia was the catalyst for the Stripes with a hat-trick with the other goals coming from Leandro Lacunza and Manuel Morello grabbing the other goals.
For Balzan, Udo Akpan grabbed a brace.