Marsaxlokk are the sole leaders in the YoHealth Malta Premier as previous pacesetters Floriana and Hibernians both dropped points on MatchDay 4 in midweek.
Ħamrun Spartans and Valletta notched significant victories to close in on the league leaders while ten-man Birkirkara showed incredible resilience to fight back from two goals down and take a point against Sliema Wanderers.
Here is a roundup of all the action from Matchday 4 by SportsDesk.
Marsaxlokk FC (2 – 0) Gżira United FC
Marsaxlokk bounced back from their defeat to Valletta when they eased past Gżira United 2-0.
Weder Silva headed them ahead before Nevin Portelli added second goal just before half-time as the southerners moved one point clear at the top.
Żabbar St. Patrick FC (0 – 1) Ħamrun Spartans FC
Ħamrun Spartans bagged their second win on the trot when they overcame Żabbar SP 1-0.
Raphael Compri notched the all-important goal in a match that the Spartans completely dominated and have now moved just one point behind Marsaxlokk in the standings.
Mosta FC (2 – 2) Hibernians FC
Hibernians were held to a 2-2 draw by Mosta at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Duane Bonnici fired them ahead but Mosta immediately equalised through a penalty from Daniel Henrique.
Substitute Cleiton seemed to have given the Paolites the win midway through the second half, but Mosta once more provided an instant response with Prince Emmanuel firing home the equaliser.
Floriana FC (0 – 2) Valletta FC
Valletta claimed their biggest win since their Premier League return when they breezed past ten-man Floriana at the National Stadium.
The game was compromised for Floriana following the early dismissal of Charles M’Mwomba but the Citizens had to wait until midway through the second half to break the stalemate through Yuri Messias.
There were more woes for Floriana as substitute Mattia Veselji was sent off after picking up two yellow cards before Andrea Ciolacu sealed the win with a second goal in stoppage time to lift the team in second place, level with the Spartans.
Sliema Wanderers FC (2 – 2) Birkirkara FC
Sliema Wanderers threw away a two-goal lead as they only managed a 2-2 draw against ten-man Birkirkara.
The match looked all sewed up for the Wanderers when they raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Sulahmana Bah and Henrique Murillo with the Stripes having Kurt Zammit dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
However, the Stripes, under the charge of new coach Gianluca Festa, had other plans as they managed to claw themselves back into the match with Kemar Reid pulling a goal back just before half-time.
Birkirkara kept fighting and their resilience was rewarded late on when they were awarded a penalty which was cooly converted by skipper Leandro Lacunza.
Naxxar Lions FC (2 – 3) Tarxien Rainbows FC
Tarxien Rainbows secured their first win of the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Naxxar Lions.
It was the Ofufu Ibeh who put Tarxien ahead after seven minutes but Naxxar levelled matters on 22 minutes through Vinicius Baiano.
The Lions turned the match around with a second goal from Joao Moura but the Rainbows were not ready to go down without a fight and secured the win with goals from Kyle Gatt and Nhayson.
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