Brazilian forward Fernanda Peinado lifted Swieqi United over Mġarr United after her hat-trick propelled the Owls to a 3-0 victory against the Greens.

Second place was at stake as these two teams met at the Mġarr Ground with Billy Mock’s Swieqi now moving into second on 37 points, three ahead of Mġarr.

The 2021/2022 season will come to an end next week with Swieqi facing champions Birkirkara whereas Mġarr will take on San Ġwann.

Prior to the game, Mġarr’s captain Brenda Borg was presented with the Player of the Month Award of March by the Malta FA vice-president Ludovico Micallef.

Peinado scored her first goal in the 29th minute after capitalising on a Chloe Ann Ellul assist.

After the interval, Peinado – who joined the club in January – pounced on a mistake at the back to slot past goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer before wrapping up Swieqi’s win with a close-range effort following a set-piece situation.

Peinado has now moved into sixth in the league’s scoring charts with 10 goals.

Fourth-place Raiders Lija bounced back to victory after defeating San Ġwann 5-0.

Sarah Caruana and Miriana scored two early goals for Raiders before Anna Aloisio extended to three goals just before half-time.

Aloisio netted her second of the game at the restart to make it 6 goals in the 2021/2022 campaign.

Substitute Leah Ayres, who made her international debut during Malta’s Women’s World Cup qualifier against Denmark in April, rounded up the five-goal win with a late goal. The clinical forward has now scored 11 goals this season.

Elsewhere, Rodianne Zerafa scored four goals for the second consecutive week as Kirkop United hit Mtarfa for six.

Youth player Yasmin Attard opened the score inside the first 17 minutes for Kirkop. Forward Aleksandra Georgieva doubled the lead just after the interval.

Zerafa scored her four goals between the 56th and 67th minute as she has now produced 15 goals for her side this season.