Sliema 1 - Hibs 1
A ten-man Sliema Wanderers side this afternoon managed to hold title challengers Hibernians to a 1-1 draw in a highly-charged encounter at the Hibs Stadium.
The match seemed to be drifting Hibs’ way when Sliema defender Josef Mifsud was dismissed for a second bookable offence midway through the second half.
However, it was Sliema who took the lead six minutes from time when Roderick Bajada unleashed a powerful drive that flew past Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat.
Hibs however were not ready to throw in the towel and Luis Edison managed to score a vital equaliser a minute from time when he headed the ball home from an Andrew Cohen free-kick.
The result means that Valletta now enjoy a three-point cushion at the top of the table.
Sliema’s Jorge Santos Silva was voted as the BOV Player of the match.
Floriana 1 Mqabba 0
Floriana strengthened their grip on third place in the BOV Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mqabba at the Hibs Stadium this afternoon.
Ryan Darmanin was the Greens’ hero when he came on as a second-half substitute to strike the vital winner a minute from time.
It was a merited victory for Floriana who looked the more dangerous side throughout the 90 minutes but struggled to break down a solid Mqabba rearguard which was well marshalled by Brano Timotic and Mauro Bonnici.
Darmanin could have put Floriana ahead ten minutes from time when his fierce drive came off the upright with Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja beaten.
However, that was just a temporary reprieve for Mqabba as on 89 minutes, the newly-promoted side failed to contend with a Christian Cassar cross, the ball fell into the path of Darmanin who hammered the ball home.
Christian Cassar, of Floriana, was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.