Ħamrun Spartans, Lija Athletic and Valletta kept up the pressure on leaders Luxol.

The Spartans, two points behind Luxol, recorded a stunning 18-2 win over Mdina Knights as Lija and Valletta beat Mqabba (10-2) and Marsaskala (13-0), respectively.

Raphinha scored six goals for Ħamrun, Michel Melo Jose hit a treble and George Frendo and Andy Mangion a double each.

Joao Losada Teruel, Peter Pullicino, Rodrigo Ticz Patricio and Robert Fenech were also on the scoresheet.

Kurt Drackard netted an own goal but was on target later on, along with Ryan Micallef, to score the Knights’ consolation goals.

Valletta cantered home to an emphatic win over Marsaskala. The Lilywhites’ goals came from Denis di Maio, Mohammed Elamari, Jurgen Pace and Xavier Saliba, who scored two each, while Dylan Musu, Melvin Borg, Ricardo Ortega Toro, Jovica Milijic and Daniel Brincat were also on the mark.

Mqabba produced a decent challenge against third-placed Lija who only succeeded in breaking their opponents’ resistance in the second half as Endrit Kaca grabbed four goals.

Nicola del Re and Redeemer Borg netted a brace each as Ebrahim Massoudi and Nikolay Filipov rounded the score for Lija. Borja Fernandez and Lydon Baldacchino were Mqabba’s goal-getters.

In other matches, Sliema maintained their top-six chances with a 4-2 win over Mdina while Qrendi saw off Gozo 4-2.

Standings
Luxol 27; Ħamrun 25; Lija 24; Valletta 22; Swieqi 21; Msida 16; Sliema 15; Żebbuġ 12; Sirens 10; Qrendi, Mqabba, Mdina, Marsaskala 6; Gozo 0.