BoV Premier League highlights

The BOV Premier League produced a spate of surprising results last weekend.

Valletta, the early pace-setters, failed to make it four wins on the run after being held to a goalless draw by Msida St Joseph. Predictions of a handsome victory for the Citizens failed to materialise as the Saints gave a feisty performance to deny their more-quoted opponents and collect their first point of the season.

In Saturday's opening match, Sliema Wanderers were on the receiving end of another shock defeat after going down 3-1 to Tarxien Rainbows.

Tarxien showed off their credentials to challenge for a top-six finish with another bold display. The Rainbows took the lead through Brazilian striker Ribeiro after 24 minutes but their optimism suffered a blow when Ryan Mintoff was sent off for swearing seven minutes later.

Sliema equalised through Nigerian Henry Isaac four minutes from half-time but Tarxien restored their one-goal lead thanks to a scorching free-kick from Brazilian defender Everton.

With Sliema looking increasingly jaded and out of ideas despite their numerical advantage, Denni secured a deserved victory for the Rainbows when scoring with a header on 66 minutes.

On Sunday, Qormi's extraordinary start to the season claimed another famous scalp... champions Hibernians.

Hibernians, who in midweek beat Ħamrun Spartans 4-2 for their second victory in as many matches, forged ahead after three minutes through Rumen Galabov. But Qormi stunned the champions in the second half with in-form Brazilian striker Camilo scoring a hat-trick to stretch his team's unbeaten start to four matches.

A Donovan Simmonds goal early in the second half was enough for Floriana to down Ħamrun Spartans. This was the Greens' first victory in four matches while the Spartans are still without a point after three games.

On Friday, Birkirkara extended their winning run to three matches with a 3-1 victory over Dingli Swallows. Michael Galea hit a brace for Birkirkara with Paul Fenech grabbing his team's third. Dingli had temporarily levelled at 1-1 through an own goal by Alan Tabone.

Statistics

Scores

Birkirkara: Galea 3; Comvalius 2; Mallia 2; Fenech.

Dingli Swallows: Okonkwo 2 (1 pen). Own goal - Tabone (vs Birkirkara).

Floriana: Anonam, Wasiu, Simmonds.

Ħamrun Spartans: Spiteri 2; Pereira. Red cards - Micallef (vs Birkirkara), Pereira (vs Floriana).

Hibernians: J. Caruana, Cauchi, Herrera, Barbara, Galabov. Own goals - Conceicao (vs Dingli), Fenech (vs Ħamrun).

Qormi: Camilo 7; Chetcuti.

Tarxien Rainbows: Ribeiro 3; Denni 2; Shead, Calabretta, Everton.

Red card: Ribeiro (vs Dingli).

Valletta: Scerri 5; Priso 2 (1 pen); Cruyff, Den Ouden, Zammit.

Next Fixtures

National Stadium

Saturday, Oct.17: 15.00 Msida vs Tarxien; 17.00 Sliema vs Ħamrun.

Sunday, Oct. 18: 15.00 Floriana vs Dingli; 17.00 Hibs vs Birkirkara.

Monday, Oct. 19: 19.30 Qormi vs Valletta.