BoV Premier League highlights

Hibernians halted Valletta's unbeaten start to the 2009/10 Premier League trek on Friday as the champions beat the leaders 1-0 in a pulsating encounter at the National Stadium.

The Paolites' victory was somewhat unexpected, owing to the team's injury toll, but theirs was not the only surprise result of the weekend as on Saturday Floriana rode their luck to beat Birkirkara 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal.

Qormi, meanwhile, were back to the top of the standings when they had the better of Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 while Ħamrun Spartans got off the mark with a hard-earned victory over Msida SJ.

In the other match, Sliema Wanderers struggled more than expected to have the better of a spirited Dingli Swallows team.

Valletta's build-up to the match against Hibs was characterised with talk of investment in a new stadium at the limits of Ħal-Farruġ and a mobile telephony venture in the near future.

Plans are also in the pipeline for the club to introduce a semi-professional scheme. But all that perhaps deviated attention from the field of play as Hibs coach Mark Miller lived up to his standing as the main source of inspiration behind his team to lead the champions to victory even though he had to follow most of the match from the stands as he was ordered off his bench for persistent protests in the opening half.

The all-important goal in the match-of-the-week came from Edward Herrera on 33 minutes. Hibs, then, pulled the shutters down to deny Valletta and secure a morale-boosting win in these early stages of the season.

The next day, the Stripes were well below their best and although they dominated possession Floriana's goal rarely came under a threat.

Many thought a goalless draw would be the likely outcome, but substitute Christian Caruana had other ideas and profited from a last- minute indecision in the opponents' half to slot home the winner... a reprieve for Greens' coach Roddy Collins who, it seems, still has to settle down in his new environs.

The Spartans' winner against Msida came from Roderick Fenech and Lucian Dronca (penalty) and Matthew Bartolo eased Sliema's worries as Dingli were proving a hard nut to crack.

Qormi are back on top of the standings after their victory over Tarxien.

Brazilian striker Camilo was again on the mark for the Yellows and Alfred Effiong scored Qormi's second goal in a lively match that augurs well for these two teams. Gianluca Calabretta pulled a goal back but his effort came too late for Tarxien to save the match.

Scorers

Birkirkara: Galea 3; Comvalius 2; Mallia 2; Fenech, Cilia, Pulo. Red card: Paris (vs Hibernians). Missed penalty: Comvalius (vs Hibernians).

Dingli Swallows: Okonkwo 4 (1 pen). Own goal: Tabone (vs Birkirkara).

Floriana: Wasiu 2; Anonam, Simmonds, Caruana.

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

Hibernians: Galabov 2, Herrera 2; J. Caruana, Cauchi, Barbara, Malasenoks. Own goals: Conceicao (vs Dingli), Fenech (vs Ħamrun).

Qormi: Camilo 8; Chetcuti, Effiong.

Tarxien Rainbows: Ribeiro 3, Denni 3; Calabretta 2; Shead, Everton. Red card: Ribeiro (vs Dingli).

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

Next fixtures

FA Trophy, first round

Saturday: Centenary Stadium - 1.30 p.m. Mosta vs Tarxien ; 3.30 p.m. Mqabba vs Qormi.

Saturday: Tedesco Stadium - 1.30 p.m. Msida SJ vs Balzan; 3.30 p.m. Ħamrun vs St George's.

Sunday: Centenary Stadium - 1.30 p.m. Vittoriosa/Melita vs Dingli; 3.30 p.m. Floriana vs San Ġwann.

Sunday: Tedesco Stadium - 1.30 p.m. Sannat Lions vs St Patrick; 3.30 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Pietà.