BOV Premier League highlights

Birkirkara stayed top of the Premier League table despite failing to go beyond a 1-1 draw against Marsaxlokk in one of only two top-flight matches played last weekend. The Stripes have a two-point lead over Sliema Wanderers who beat Msida St Joseph in Sunday's opening match at the Tedesco Stadium.

After a four-week pause, the Premier League was supposed to resume with a four-match programme last weekend but the two games which were due to have been played at the Hibs Ground - Qormi-Valletta and Hibs-Tarxien Rainbows - were postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

In need of a morale booster after a string of disappointing results, Marsaxlokk enjoyed a perfect start in their clash against the Stripes, taking the lead after only two minutes.

A poor clearance by Birkirkara goalkeeper Omar Borg opened the way for Marsaxlokk's Argentine striker Julio Alcorse to run into the box and drill a low shot into the net.

Birkirkara were back on level terms 10 minutes from half-time.

Capitalising on poor defending by Marsaxlokk, Michael Galea headed Shaun Bajada's cross past the badly-positioned Saviour Darmanin.

Both teams finished the match with ten men and Birkirkara also had coach John Buttigieg sent off for persistent protests. Birkirkara's Bajada was shown a straight red card for foul language and Marsaxlokk defender William Camenzuli was dismissed 11 minutes from time for a second booking.

Sliema had lost their unbeaten record in the league after throwing away a 2-0 lead in a 4-2 defeat to Birkirkara in their previous outing last month.

On Sunday, the Blues went ahead after 27 minutes thanks to Roderick Briffa and Alex Muscat sealed the points when tapping Matthew Bartolo's pass into the net with 16 minutes left.

Msida scored a consolation goal through Pedro Dos Santos Calcado.

Statistics

Scorers, red cards

Birkirkara: Mifsud Triganza 3, Galea 3; Buhagiar 2; Mallia 2; Tabone (pen), Bajada, Fenech, Hartvig. Red card - Bajada (vs Marsaxlokk).

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 2; Said, Mattocks, Barbara. Red card - Camenzuli (vs Birkirkara).

Msida: Calcado 6 (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, Briffa, Muscat. 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

Saturday (National Stadium): 3 p.m. Valletta vs Floriana.

Sunday (Tedesco Stadium): 1.30 p.m. Msida St Joseph vs Marsaxlokk; 3.30 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Qormi.