Title rivals Balzan FC and Hibernians shared six goals as their direct encounter on Tuesday finished in a 3-3 draw.

The stalemate kept things as they were at the top of the standings as Balzan and Hibs retained their status as joint-leaders with 27 points each, albeit the Reds have a better goal difference.

In a tight game, Hibs led twice but Balzan hit back to draw level.

Boicho Marev, who scored a brace, and Giorgi Gerasimov got Hibs’ goals while Basil Emeka, Nicola Del Re and Cosmin Anton found the net for Balzan.

Balzan had warmed up for their clash with the Paolites with a comprehensive 11-1 win over strugglers Luxol St Andrew’s who have five points from 10 matches.

The Tarxien Rainbows-Żejtun Corinthians match was a more balanced contest with both teams charged up after the positive results they gained against direct opponents, Lija and Balzan respectively, in their previous outings.

In the end, it was the Rainbows who had the upperhand after beating the Corinthians 8-5 to bolster their top-four challenge.

Romania’s Gabriel Dobre was instrumental in the Rainbows’ win after scoring five goals.

Żejtun made amends for their defeat to Tarxien by trouncing Valletta 10-2 in their next game.

Meanwhile, Floriana returned to winning ways after thrashing bottom-placed Ħamrun Spartans 12-3.

The Greens opened a six-goal lead in the first half, going in for the break 7-1 ahead.

Floriana captain Kurt Bartolo and Daniel Brincat were once again in great form, both scoring a hat-trick.

It seems that these two players have stepped up their game after donning the national team jersey earlier this year.

Lija Athletic maintained their position in the upper part of the table after beating Sliema Wanderers 6-3.

Sliema were coming from a series of positive results but Lija, once again inspired by Jovica Milijic, were determined to scoop the three points not to fall behind the main contenders in the championship.

Lija duo Milijic and Rennie Tanti, and Sliema’s Omar El Ghaouti, scored a brace in this match.

Standings

Balzan (8-3-0) 27; Hibernians (8-3-0) 27; Żejtun Corinthians (7-2-2) 23; Lija Athletic (6-2-3) 20; Tarxien Rainbows (6-1-3) 19; Floriana (4-2-5) 14; Sliema Wanderers (4-0-7) 12; Valletta (2-1-8) 7; St Andrew’s (1-2-7) 5; Ħamrun Spartans (0-0-11) 0.

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