Reigning champions Birkirkara are the new 2022/2023 Assikura Women’s League leaders after defeating Mtarfa 8-0 in Matchday 5.

Meanwhile, Hibernians joined Raiders Lija in second place after clinching the direct encounter with a 2-0 victory whereas Mġarr United and Swieqi United cancelled each other out in a goalless stalemate.

Veronique Mifsud grabbed a hat-trick for Birkirkara as she scored one in the first half before grabbing a brace after the interval.

Ruth Steer-Chetham and Alishia Sultana scored one goal each in the opening 45 minutes as the Stripes cruised to a three-goal lead.

After the exchange of ends, Mifsud was joined by Gabriella Zahra, Gaia Milan – her first in Maltese football – and an Estelle Borg’s own goal.

Two senior league debuts were handed in this game – Jasmine Camilleri of Mtarfa and Birkirkara’s Ylenia Azzopardi.

Keith Gouder’s Hibernians bounced back from their two straight defeats against Mġarr United and Birkirkara to overcome Raiders 2-0.

Aleksandra Georgieva drew first blood after just nine minutes, scoring the fastest goal of this week’s slate of fixtures.

The Paolites wrapped up their win thanks to Alexis Espitia’s goal in the second half as they are level with Denis Guerra’s Raidrs on nine points.

Elsewhere, Mġarr United and Swieqi United fired blanks in a 0-0 draw at the Mġarr Ground.

Swieqi United are now on eight points while Mġarr trail them by one goal.