The Closing Round of the YoHealth Malta Premier League kicked off last weekend with Ħamrun Spartans, Floriana, and Sliema Wanderers all registering wins while Birkirkara ended a run of six successive defeats with victory over Hibernians.
Here is a roundup of all the action from Matchday 17 by SportsDesk.
Ħamrun Spartans FC (2 – 1) Tarxien Rainbows FC
Ħamrun Spartans scored a goal in each half to see off Tarxien Rainbows 2-1.
Matthew Gullaumier marked his return to the Malta champions with a fine opener just before the break, while Jonny doubled his team’s lead midway through the second half.
Tarxien pulled a goal back through Anthony Lokosa on 68 minutes but could not find an equaliser despite playing the last 12 minutes with nine foreign players on the pitch, instead of the regulatory eight.
Sliema Wanderers FC (1 – 0) Żabbar St. Patrick FC
Roko Prsa was the toast of Sliema Wanderers as the Croatian midfielder netted the all-important goal that handed his team a 1-0 win over Żabbar St Patrick.
Floriana FC (3 – 1) Naxxar Lions FC
Floriana had to come from behind to see off Naxxar Lions 3-1.
Vitinho scored a spectacular opener for Naxxar from half-pitch after only five minutes of play.
But Floriana came into life at the start of the second half, following the introduction of Jake Grech, as the Malta midfielder quickly pulled them level.
Grech remained an influential figure for Floriana as he provided the assists for Kenan Dervisagic and Rui Areias, who added two late goals and sealed their team’s win.
Mosta FC (0 – 5) Valletta FC
Valletta kicked off their Closing Round commitments in some style when they crushed Mosta 5-0.
Thaylor Aldama gave Valletta an early lead in the first half.
But the Citizens had to wait until the second half to wrap up the points.
Emmanuel Mbende headed home the second goal, and then up came substitute Andrea Zammit, who lit up the match with a quick-fire hat-trick in the closing stages to seal a comfortable victory.
Gżira United FC (3 – 0) Marsaxlokk FC
Gżira United put behind them a disappointing opening phase as they cruised past an injury-hit Marsaxlokk side.
Maxuell Maia was the Maroons hero as the Brazilian helped himself to a hat-trick.
Birkirkara FC (3 – 0) Hibernians FC
Birkirkara clinched their first win after six successive defeat when they beat Hibernians 3-0.
The Paolites had enjoyed the better play in the first half but failed to make their superiority count.
The game changed completely after the break, with Stephan Makoma firing the Stripes ahead with a long-range strike.
Kemar Reid doubled his team’s lead when hitting a low drive that had the better of the out-of-positioned Hugo Sacco in the Hibernians goal.
Makoma rounded off his man-of-the-match performance with another blistering strike to seal a much-needed win for Birkirkara.
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