Ħamrun Spartans kept up their chase of Luxol with a 7-4 win over Valletta taking them to within one point of the Premier Division leaders.

Brazilian Raphinha inspired the Spartans to the three points with a hat-trick.

The Citizens produced a spirited performance but on the day the Spartans proved stronger.

Mohammed Elamari, Jovica Milijic, Rogerio dos Santos Filho and an own goal by Cedric Sciberras were on the Reds scoresheet as James Ciangura’s teamprovided an emphatic response to Luxol’s win the day before.

Denis di Maio hit the target three times but his effort was not enough to avoid defeat for Valletta. Balzan maintained their chances of retaining the title withan 8-2 win over Gżira United.

Frane Despotovic scored a hattrick and Marco Conti, Boycho Marev, Carl Azzopardi, Matthew Attard and Mark Zammit were also on the mark for the champions. Alessio Restuccia scored a brace for Gżira but marred his day late on after being sent off for two bookings.

In the First Division, Nikolay Filipov was Mellieħa’s inspirational player as he scored four times in a 7-2 rout of Mqabba. The northerners’ 12th victory of the season lifted them to the top of the table, level with Lija Athletic on 36 points.

Daniel Saliba was twice on target while Josef Balzan added another one to ensure Mellieħa’s victory. Lija, with keeper Dylan Cacciatolo and Nicola del Re making their debut, maintained their march at the top of the classification after seeing off Siġġiewi 9-5.

Lija showed better qualities in the opening half and went in for the breaking leading 4-2. They retained the upperhand in the second half, adding more goals to their tally to seal the win. Ryan Bugeja notched a hat-trick while Zeljko Anicic, Aleksandar Ribic and Floren Manea all scored a double for Lija.

Naxxar and Qrendi shared the spoils in an entertaining 3-3 draw as Msida returned to winning ways after a thumping 12-2 win over lowly Birżebbuġa. Attard, however, had to sweat to overcome the stiff opposition of Sirens 3-2.

The win moved Attard to fourth place in the standings.

Standings

Premier Division: Luxol 25; Ħamrun 24; Balzan 21; Qormi 13; Valletta, Swieqi 12; Mosta 9; Gżira 3; Żebbuġ Rangers 0.

First Division: Lija, Mellieħa 36; Naxxar 29; Attard 21; Luqa, Msida 18; Sirens 14; Mdina 13; Siġġiewi 12; Qrendi 11; Mqabba 9; Birżebbuġa 1.

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