Paolites prevail in pulsating clash

Hibernians 5
Birkirkara 2

Boring Maltese football... I beg to differ after watching this match.

It had everything. Plenty of goals, commitment and drama in a nerve-jangling finale that saw Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi banished to the stands and Hibs applying the killer touch deep into injury time.

At the end of a pulsating 90 minutes, it was Hibs who ambled away from Ta' Qali the more satisfied after seeing off Birkirkara 5-2 to move within three points of early pace-setters Sliema Wanderers.

A quickfire brace from Essien Mbong in the first half and an early goal from David Camilleri soon after the change of ends looked like putting Hibs on the way to a comfortable win.

However, a brave fightback from Birkirkara ensured that the match remained alive as a contest, leading up to a thrilling climax that kept fans on tenterhooks.

In the absence of Czech keeper Dave Simon, still nursing an ankle injury, the responsibility of minding Birkirkara's goal fell on the shoulders of young Bernard Paris. Midfielder Adrian Ciantar and Emil Yantchev, the Bulgarian defender, were both absent from Birkirkara's squad because of injuries.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, awarded a recall to defender Kenneth Spiteri as he juggled his team to compensate for the absence of Ryan Mintoff and wide players Antoine Zahra and Ben Camilleri.

The game was barely six minutes old when some slick passing from the Birkirkara players saw Michael Galea threading a through-ball in the direction of the advancing Roderick Briffa whose low shot was pushed away by Mario Muscat.

Although Birkirkara and Hibs are arguably the two most attacking-minded teams in the league, their direct meeting yesterday prompted their coaches to put stronger emphasis on defensive security.

Those players detailed to protect their respective goals were given instructions to restrain their forward movement and devote all their energies on denying space to the opposing strikers.

In Birkirkara's case, Etienne Barbara and Michael Galea were their most advanced players while for Hibs, Terence Scerri, Cohen and Doda formed a three-pronged roaming attack.

Scoring chances had been at a premium in the opening half hour but a quick breakaway from Hibs on 32 minutes spread havoc in the Birkirkara defence.

Latching onto a crossfield pass from Peter Pullicino, Scerri drifted back to avoid Lino Galea and mustered a grounder to which Paris managed to get a hand before William Camenzuli hooked the ball away for a corner.

Cohen's cross from the corner was repelled by Monye but only as far as Mbong who unleashed a rising shot that beat Paris hands down and gave the Paolites the lead.

Five minutes later, Mbong repeated his scoring act, this time hitting a precise shot that sailed low into the net after receiving a pass from Cohen outside the penalty area.

The referee's half-time whistle sparked different reactions on the stands. The Hibs supporters applauded their players but those in the Birkirkara side gave their team the whistle treatment.

At half-time, Azzopardi indulged in some positional tinkering, pushing George Mallia further upfield besides bringing on Chucks Nwoko for Barbara.

Birkirkara's task of hauling themselves back in contention became more complicated when Hibs made it 3-0. Camilleri provided a timely reminder of his deadball expertise when curling a free-kick home past the defensive wall and into the far corner of the net.

Matthew Calascione, thrown in the fray together with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, handed Birkirkara a lifeline when poking home Michael Galea's cross at the far post just past the hour.

Moments later, Birkirkara's comeback should have gained further momentum when Nwoko's header from a Briffa cross rebounded dangerously in front of Muscat but the Hibs keeper displayed excellent poise by diving backward to smother the ball away.

With a clutch of attacking players now piling up the pressure on the Hibs' defence, Birkirkara increased their rate of scoring chances.

An effort from Mifsud Triganza was parried by Muscat before referee Attard incurred the wrath of the Birkirkara fans after he deemed that Aaron Xuereb's deflection did not qualify as an intended backpass.

Ten minutes from time, Birkir-kara's hopes suffered a blow when Hibs restored their three-goal lead thanks to Camilleri. He scored from a free-kick that flew past Paris.

The drama continued as two minutes later, Birkirkara reduced the arrears, Mifsud Triganza tapping home amid a goalmouth melee in which Hibs' left-back Failla looked to have been knocked unconscious after colliding with an opponent.

The former St Patrick player required hospital treatment but regained consciousness soon after.

Azzopardi was ordered off the bench by referee Attard, only seconds before Hibs made it 5-2 with another excellent free-kick from Camilleri.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7.5, P. Pullicino-6, K. Spiteri-6, A. Pulis-6.5, A. Xuereb-6.5, E. Mbong-8, T. Scerri-6.5 ('90 J. Vella), A. Cohen-7, D. Camilleri-7.5, H. Doda-6 ('90 E. Agius), C. Failla-6 ('84 R. Baldacchino).

Birkirkara: B. Paris-4, L. Galea-5 ('56 M. Calascione-6.5), P. Monye-6.5, W. Camenzuli-5.5, E. Barbara-6 ('46 C. Nwoko-7), M. Galea-6, A. Zahra-6.5, J. Holland-6.5 ('56 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6), K. Scicluna-5.5, R. Briffa-7, G. Mallia-5.5.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Scorers: Mbong 33, 38; Camilleri 52, 80, 90; Calascione 62; Mifsud Triganza 82.

Yellow Cards: Monye; Holland; M. Galea.

Bov Player Of The Match: Essien Mbong (Hibs).

Tomorrow: 6.30 p.m. Hamrun vs Mosta.