Clinical Hibs close in on Sliema

Marsaxlokk 1
Hibernians 4

Hibernians made the most of Sliema Wanderers' unexpected slip-up to Pietà Hotspurs on Saturday, trouncing Marsaxlokk 4-1 yesterday to reduce the gap on the leaders to three points.

Despite the absence of their Nigerian playmaker Essien Mbong (suspended), Hibs gave a bold reminder of their credentials as championship contenders with a solid display, especially in the second half.

The Paolites' convincing success over a Marsaxlokk team with high hopes of shaking the elite order of Maltese football, should set them up nicely for their direct clash with Sliema on Saturday.

Hibernians built their win on a sound defensive organisation, with goalkeeper Mario Muscat in excellent form along with David Camilleri who hit two crucial goals that ultimately shattered Marsaxlokk's resistance.

Marsaxlokk's tactical set-up was compromised just after the half hour when Andrè Schembri, who had given them a sixth minute lead, was sent off for lashing out at Andrew Cohen as the two players contested possession.

Referee Adrian Casha also judged Cohen to be equally guilty for the clash and duly showed the Malta striker the red card.

Cohen's dismissal forced Hibs coach Robert Gatt to instruct Haruna Doda to take up a deeper position in midfield while Terence Scerri was re-deployed as a striker.

In the official teamsheet, Gareth Sciberras had been included in Marsaxlokk's starting formation but he sustained an injury during warm-up and was replaced by Shaun Bajada. The same fate befell Jamie Pace whose outing was cut short by injury after only 10 minutes.

Inside the first two minutes of the game, Hibernians, who had temporarily fallen third in the standings after Birkirkara's 1-0 win over Floriana on Friday, tested the southerners' defence. Doda sped through on the right flank before unleashing a shot which Reuben Gauci repelled for a corner.

Having survived this initial scare, Marsaxlokk hit back with vengeance and moved into the lead.

Wendell Soares Gomes delivered a cross from the left and Schembri finished the move with a well-taken header that had the better of Muscat.

The southerners' joy barely lasted a minute, the time it took Hibs to level matters. Carlo Mamo failed to clear a Cohen free-kick to safety and Scerri was quick to profit by sliding the ball home from close in.

Marsaxlokk's mentor Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia was forced into an early substitution when Pace hobbled off the pitch after only 10 minutes. Portuguese defender Nuno Miguel Dos Santos Gomes was introduced in the heart of midfield as the southerners switched to a 4-3-1-2 formation.

The match nearly descended into a free-for-all on 33 minutes when Schembri and Cohen jostled for possession. Tempers flared as the players awaited the referee's decision. The outcome was negative for both sides as Schembri and Cohen both received marching orders.

Farrugia tried to use his shrewd tactical nous to help his team keep its shape but although equilibrium was maintained till the end of the first half, Hibs gained the upper hand after the interval.

It was on 52 minutes when Hibs took the lead. Substitute Ben Camilleri won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and David Camilleri's curling effort from a tight angle sailed over a crowd of players and past a stunned Gauci.

Marsaxlokk were quick to react. Brazilian striker Soares Gomes thought he had done enough to snatch an equaliser as he bolted a shot from inside the box but Muscat kept his team's lead intact with an excellent save.

Midway through the second half, Hibs pulled clear of their opponents with a third goal. Scerri's menacing cross from the left found Doda who deftly avoided two defenders before ramming a low shot into the net.

Marsaxlokk, who had been forced into another substitution late in the first half when replacing Nuno Gomes, who aggravated a groin injury, with Malcolm Licari, were shellshocked.

Into the last quarter, Mamo was judged to have floored Scerri inside the penalty area. David Camilleri coolly converted the penalty to put the match beyond Marsaxlokk.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci-6, C. Mamo-6, S. Wellman-6, S. Bajada-5.5, K. Sammut-6.5, A. Schembri, C. Frendo-6, C. Bart-Williams-6, J. Pace ('10 N.M. Dos Santos Gomes ('34 M. Licari-5.5), C. Paiber-6, W. Soares Gomes-6.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7, P. Pullicino-7, K. Spiteri-5.5 ('39 B. Camilleri-6.5), A. Pulis-7, A. Xuereb-7, T. Scerri-7, A. Cohen, D. Camilleri-7.5, E. Agius-6, C. Failla-6.5, H. Doda-7.5.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Scorers: Schembri 6; Scerri 7; D. Camilleri 52, 77 Pen.; Doda 69.

Yellow Cards: Licari; Pullicino; Xuereb; Paiber; Wellman; Mamo; Agius.

Red Cards: Schembri 33; Cohen 33.

BoV Player Of The Match: Haruna Doda (Hibernians).