BoV Premier League highlights

Birkirkara are the sole leaders of the BOV Premier League after their astonishing 4-2 comeback win over Sliema Wanderers on Sunday.

The Stripes have a three-point advantage over Hibernians after the latter went down 2-1 to Floriana for their second defeat of the season.

Sliema looked firmly on course to extend their unbeaten start after goals from defender Branko Nisevic and Ivan Woods gave them a 2-0 lead.

A headed goal by Angus Buhagiar on the stroke of half-time marked the start of a remarkable comeback by Birkirkara who needed only 14 second-half minutes to sway the balance in their favour thanks to goals from striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and defender Ronnie Hartvig. Man-of-the-match Mifsud Triganza wrapped up Birkirkara's win when scoring his second goal midway through the second half.

On Saturday, Floriana kept their Championship Pool bid on track with a 2-1 success over Hibs.

Orosco Anonam and Ryan Darmanin put the Greens 2-0 up by the 62nd minute before Andrew Cohen, making his first start of the season after recovering from injury, pulled one back for the Paolites.

Msida St Joseph hit three goals in the last 17 minutes to complete a thrilling 3-2 victory over the struggling Ħamrun Spartans.

First-half goals from Mano Micallef and Dylan Kokavessis had raised Ħamrun's hopes of a first victory in seven matches but Msida's late rally left Marco Gerada's team reeling.

Marcos Aurelio, a half-time substitute, reduced the deficit 17 minutes from time, Tyrone Farrugia equalised with eight minutes remaining and Aurelio struck the winner in the dying stages.

Both teams finished the match with 10 men. Msida had Andre Rocha Da Silva sent off early in the second half and the Spartans lost striker Gaetan Spiteri to a second yellow card 13 minutes from time.

Newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows obtained their first victory of the season after beating Marsaxlokk 3-1. Brazilian forward Daniel Mariano Bueno scored a hat-trick with fellow countryman Marcelo Pereira netting Marsaxlokk's only goal three minutes from the end.

Statistics (scorers, red cards)

Birkirkara: Mifsud Triganza 3; Buhagiar 2, Galea 2, Mallia 2; Tabone (pen), Bajada, Fenech, Hartvig.

Floriana: Anonam 3; M. Briffa, Madzar, Brincat (penalty), Darmanin. Red card - Bugeja (vs Ħamrun).

Ħamrun: Spiteri 2; Ortega (penalty), Cucciardi, Micallef, Kokavessis. Red cards - Spiteri (vs Floriana), Spiteri (vs Msida).

Hibernians: Scerri 5; Galabov 2, Failla 2, J. Caruana 2, Farrugia 2; Grech, Callejas, Pulis, Cohen (penalty). Own goals - Micallef (vs Ħamrun); Bonnici (vs Ħamrun). Red card - Mbongo (vs Valletta).

Marsaxlokk: Pereira 3; Licari 2 (1 pen); Alcorse, Said, Mattocks, Barbara.

Msidca: Calcado 5 (1 pen.); Aurellio 4; Magro, T. Farrugia. Red card: Da Silva (vs Ħamrun).

Qormi: Effiong 3; Da Silva 2; Farrugia. Red card - Chetcuti (vs Hibernians).

Sliema: Woods 4 (1 pen.); Bjedov 3; Bajada 2; Severino, Azzopardi, Nisevic. Red card - Bjedov (vs Ħamrun).

Tarxien: Bueno 8; Chircop. Red cards: Carapic, Decesare (vs Qormi).

Valletta: Priso 5 (2 pens.); Falzon 2, G. Agius 2; Tolomeotti.

Next fixtures (U*Bet FA Trophy)

Saturday: (Centenary Stadium) 1.30 p.m. Mosta vs Vittoriosa Stars; 3.30 p.m. St Patrick vs Senglea Athletic.

Sunday: (Centenary Stadium) 2 p.m. Tarxien vs Mqabba; 4 p.m. Dingli vs Floriana.