Persistence does the trick for Hibs

Msida St Joseph 2
Hibernians 3

Hibernians played a Russian roulette with their fate as they overturned a two-goal deficit to win their first game of the season.

Playing against one of the minnows in the top flight, the Paolites were stunned by two goals in the first half before pulling a goal back on the stroke of half-time. In the second half, the team gelled well together and the inclusion of Terence Scerri meant that Msida were locked in their fort with hardly a moment of reprieve.

Omar Borg, the Msida goalkeeper, had an excellent showing in goal but he was finally undone by Hibs' attacking persistence as the former Malta champions refused to start the season on the losing end.

In the end it was Cesar Paiber who broke the Saints' hearts as he converted a second penalty to give his side the three points.

Yet again, Hibernians kicked off the season with plenty of ambition to wrest the title from Sliema and the other contenders. With a solid side boasting the likes of some of the top flight's most gifted players, Robert Gatt's side started as firm favourites to brush aside Msida's resistance.

On their part, the Saints were kicking the first competitive ball among the island's elite clubs after years of yo-yoing in the lower echelons of football. With survival their first priority, the side adopted a cautious strategy by flooding their defence and deploying Daniel Nwoke as an isolated striker to taunt the opponents' rearguard marshalled by Paiber.

Following a spate of close shaves, Msida did breathe some fresh air as they were awarded a penalty when Adrian Pulis was judged to have floored Nwoke inside the penalty area as the Nigerian was about to coordinate a shot at goal.

Malcolm Tirchett opted for power as his shot flew into the net to give the newcomers a surprise lead.

Hibs were expected to equalise matters within a matter of minutes but the assignment took an unexpected twist as Msida doubled their tally. Nwoke was at the end of a long cross, jinked past Aaron Xuereb and Mario Muscat and rifled the ball into the net.

Gatt knew that his side was facing an uphill struggle to kickstart their campaign with a win. Buoyed by a two-goal lead, Msida packed every space within the penalty area and goalie Borg was as solid as a rock in goal.

Hibs roped in the services of youngster Udo Nwoko in place of Adrian Mifsud. The Nigerian's speed soon proved to be a headache to the likes of Tano Farrugia and Gordon Ohaegbu in defence.

Three minutes from half-time, Andre Schembri served substitute Nwoko whose volley on the turn seemed destined for goal but eventually missed the target by a whisker.

The flood of white shirts kept surging forward as Msida managed to build an impermeable moat that frustrated the likes of Ndubisi Chukunyere and Andrew Cohen.

During stoppage time of the first half, Borg rushed out of his goalposts and tackled a surging Nwoko. The foul was committed inside the penalty area and the assistant referee signalled the infringement.

Skipper Muscat even rushed to the other side of the field in order to convince the referee that Borg deserved to be given marching orders for his tackle.

Adrian Casha opted for a less harsher punishment as he booked the Msida guardian and Paiber bridged the gap with a well-placed strike.

After the interval, Hibs came across as a more cohesive side and as the minutes ticked away, a goal seemed in the offing. Nwoko came closest to restoring equilibrium as he beat the offside trap but his shot was well blocked by Borg.

The Paolites restored parity midway through the second half.

Miguel Mifsud took a good corner kick which was well met by Xuereb who towered in the air to tease Borg with the header. The Saints' goalie could only partially save the attempt as the loose ball fell at Scerri's feet and in no time the ball thundered into the net.

Three minutes later, substitute Fabio Cauchi resorted to an illegal tackle to tame the relentless running of Nwoko. Paiber stepped up for the second penalty of the evening and beat Borg to put Hibs in front for the first time during the match.

Hibs did emerge winners but they had to sweat and struggle for victory. The side has to watch out for complacency as otherwise the players will again earn the unwanted tag as the enigma of the season.

Msida: O. Borg, G. Ohaegbu, J. Mifsud, T. Farrugia, V. Bellia, C. Sciberras (D. Cachia), A. Farrugia (L. Xerri), A. Spiteri, J. Farrugia, M. Tirchett (F. Cauchi), D. Nwoke.

Hibs: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino (A. Zahra), A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, C. Paiber, A. Schembri, E. Mbong, A. Mifsud (U. Nwoko), N. Chukunyere, A. Cohen (T. Scerri), M. Mifsud.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Scorers: Tirchett 15 pen.; Nwoke 25; Paiber 45 pen., 73 pen.; Scerri 70.

Yellow Cards: Cohen; Schembri; Borg; T. Farrugia.

Mia Player Of The Match: Omar Borg (Msida).