BoV Premier League highlights

Hibernians are leading the BOV Premier League standings as they are the only team with maximum points from two matches following their victory over Qormi last weekend. The other team to start the day with three points, Birkirkara, were unexpectedly beaten by Floriana who joined Valletta and Sliema in second place on four points.

Valletta won the match-of-the-week against Marsaxlokk 2-0 as Sliema again showed some shrewd resilience to beat Ħamrun Spartans, 2-0.

Hibernians made it two wins out of two after they eased past newcomers Qormi 3-1. Clayton Failla was the toast of the town as the speedy wingback scored twice with the other Hibs' goal coming from Terrence Scerri.

Champions Valletta looked to have rediscovered some of their old sparkle against Marsaxlokk on Friday but they still had to sweat to win the points from their plucky opponents that only threw in the towel after Priso Doding doubled City's lead in stoppage time.

The Wanderers were, perhaps, the notable winners of the weekend.

Despite having Kosta Bjedov dismissed on 33 minutes, they still managed to overcome the toothless challenge of the Spartans thanks to goals from Ivan Woods (penalty) and a late strike from substitute Roderick Bajada.

Floriana chalked up their first-three pointer of the season after also lowering the colours of FA Trophy holders Birkirkara 1-0. The Greens played a near-perfect waiting game before hitting on the counter and scoring the winner through Aleksandar Madzar.

In the other match of the weekend, Msida St Joseph opened their 2008-09 account following a 1-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows. The Saints, who conceded a 5-1 defeat to Hibs in their opening match, had Brazilian Marcos Aurelio to thank after a fine piece of individual brilliance that led to his side's winning goal.

Premier League stats

Birkirkara: Tabone 1 (pen); Mallia, Galea.

Floriana: Madzar. Red card - Bugeja (vs Hamrun).

Ħamrun: Red card - Spiteri (vs Floriana).

Hibernians: Scerri 3; Galabov 2; Failla 2; Caruana. Missed penalty - Callejas (vs Msida).

Marsaxlokk: Alcorse.

Msida: Calcado (pen); Aurelio.

Qormi: Da Silva; Effiong. Red card - Chetcuti (vs Hibernians).

Sliema: Woods 2 (1 pen); Bajada. Red card - Bjodev (vs Ħamrun).

Tarxien: Chircop.

Valletta: Tolomeotti; G. Agius; Doding.

Next fixtures

(all National Stadium)

Sept. 13: 4 p.m. Floriana vs Sliema; 6 p.m. Birkirkara vs Msida.

Sept. 14: 4 p.m. Tarxien vs Qormi; 6 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Hamrun.

Sept. 15: 7.30 p.m. Hibernians vs Valletta.