Hibernians survive stern test

Hibernians 2
Pietà Hotspurs 1

As expected, Hibernians won the three points at stake to keep the pace with Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara at the top of the table.

Playing on home ground for the first time this season, Hibs seemed to be cruising to an easy victory after snatching an early lead and enjoying a welter of possession.

Cheered on by a vociferous crowd, Robert Gatt's team was in full control until the dying moments of the first half when the Hotspurs started to leave their mark on the en-counter.

On the hour, substitute Ryan Camilleri, who was introduced at the start of the second half instead of the injured Carmelo Sciuto, scored the equaliser and for a few minutes Pietà looked to have enough ammunition and motivation to even score a second goal.

When Andrew Cohen was sent tumbling down by Ilian Deanov's late tackle, the Paolites regained their momentum and with Cohen converting the kick, the side managed to weather some stubborn persistence from their opponents to emerge with another three points under their belt.

Championship chasers Hibs took to this match in full force including prolific striker Cohen who wore a protective face mask after a training mishap in midweek.

The match was barely eight minutes old when Hibernians forged ahead.

Pietà failed to clear the ball and Haruna Doda nipped in with a thunderous shot that was partially repelled by Andrew Hogg. With the ball in midair, the Nigerian soared high above Hogg's clutches to head into an empty net and send the Hibs fans into raptures.

On 21 minutes, David Camilleri served a free-kick towards Cohen who was quick to pull the ball back to Peter Pullicino whose volley from the edge of the penalty area failed to trouble Hogg.

Four minutes later, Pietà were again stretched to the limits. Cohen did well to serve Pullicino who was foiled by Andrew Spiteri as he was about to co-ordinate his shot with Hogg retrieving the ball to avert any further danger.

The Paolites were consistently in the driving seat and on the half hour, Cohen struck a glancing free-kick which had Hogg palming the ball away over the woodwork.

At the other end, Pietà had to rely on the flair and sturdiness of Italian Sciuto who often took the entire Hibs' rearguard single-handedly in an attempt to have a sniff at goal.

As the first half progressed, Essien Mbong thought he had done enough to merit a goal as he dribbled past a maze of legs before propelling an inswinger that was superbly repelled by Hogg.

On 38 minutes, Pietà nearly restored parity. Claudio Calleja fed the unmarked Martin Deanov in front of goal but as the striker was about to apply the lethal strike, Camilleri's neat sliding tackle diverted the ball to a corner.

The Hotspurs were now enjoying a rare bright moment and from a corner, Calleja was again in the thick of action as he cannoned a low shot that was partially blocked by Mario Muscat with Martin Deanov hastily concluding the rebound over the bar.

Sciuto suffered a knock to his knee and failed to make it to the pitch at the start of the second half as Pietà coach Georgi Deanov roped in Ryan Camilleri to lead the attack. The substitute nearly obtained the equaliser with his first touch of the ball on 52 minutes. His effort skimmed the crossbar.

The Hotspurs maintained their sprightly start to the second half as a minute later Pulo delivered a good ball towards Ryan Grech whose header sailed inches wide.

Pietà drew level on the hour. Martin Deanov tested Muscat with a perfect free-kick executed from the edge of the penalty area. The Hibs netminder could only get a hand to the ball that took a deflection off the bar for Camilleri to head into the net.

The tide shifted in Hibs' favour again on 68 minutes. Cohen was tripped in the box by Ilian Deanov. Referee Lorry Sammut immediately pointed to the penalty spot and Cohen calmly sent Hogg the wrong way to restore his side's lead.

This goal was expected to take the wind out of Pietà's sails but inside the last quarter, Calleja missed a sitter in front of goal as he skewed his simple shot to the left and missed the target altogether.

Inside the final three minutes, Martin Deanov again tested Muscat with a solid drive that the Hibs' skipper saved and on the stroke of time Hibs escaped unscathed with a timely clearance that denied Deanov yet again.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7, P. Pullicino-7, A. Pulis-6.5, A. Xuereb-6.5, E. Mbong-7, T. Scerri-6.5, A. Cohen-8, C. Failla-6.5 ('85 R. Baldacchino), E. Agius-6 ('66 B. Camilleri), D. Camilleri-7, H. Doda-7.5.

Pietà: A. Hogg-7.5, I. Deanov-6.5, B. Sciberras-7, D. Camenzuli-6.5, A. Spiteri-6.5, C. Sammut-6.5, R. Grech-6.5 ('75 D. Gatt), C. Pulo-7.5, M. Deanov-7, C. Calleja-6.5, C. Sciuto-6.5 ('46 R. Camilleri-6.5).

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Scorers: Doda 8; Camilleri 60; Cohen 68 Pen.

Yellow Cards: Xuereb; Muscat; Cohen; Camenzuli.

BoV Player Of The Match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians).