Hibernians stroll past Spartans

Hamrun Spartans 0
Hibernians 2

Hibernians were back to their best yesterday as they easily overcame the tricky challenge of Hamrun Spartans to maintain their charge for Premier League glory this season.

Second-half goals from man-of-the-match Terence Scerri and substitute Julian Vella kept the Paolites on top of the Premier League standings and, more importantly, confirmed their status as one of the main candidates for the title this season.

Not that critics and fans have questioned Hibernians' title credentials so far this season but over the past few weeks, doubts may have been raised as to their ability to maintain a high level of consistency on the back of their laboured win over Pietà Hotspurs and last Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Floriana.

Yesterday Hibernians erased such fears with a convincing display against a Hamrun Spartans side who, on several occasions this season, proved tough opponents for the leading teams.

After a balanced first half in which Hibs struggled to break down the solid Hamrun defence, the Paolites stepped up a gear to score twice in the first 20 minutes of the second period and kill off any hopes their opponents had of an upset result.

Hibernians had striker Haruna Doda earning a place on the subs' bench after he missed his team's last two games with injury. Defenders Ryan Mintoff and Aaron Xuereb were also named on the subs' list.

Hamrun had to do without the experience of Ivan Zammit and Rupert Mangion who were out through suspension.

Coach Michael Degiorgio restored to his starting formation Jonathan Magri Overend and Steve Sadowski who missed last Wednesday's 3-2 win over Pietà through suspension.

Maczerob Okoro recovered from the slight concussion he suffered during the Pietà match and was awarded a midfield role alongside Maltese-Australian Adam Mansueto who was preferred to Chidi Nwankwo.

The Spartans could have moved in front as early as the fourth minute when Ryan Fenech almost surprised Mario Muscat with a curling free-kick but the Hibs goalkeeper just managed to tip the ball away with the aid of the crossbar.

A minute later, it was Hibernians' striker Scerri who powered a rasping drive that was turned for a corner by Hamrun goalkeeper Jason Cordina.

The Hibs forward threatened again on 15 minutes when he received the ball from Ben Camilleri but his shot was deflected to a corner by a defender.

Nine minutes from the break, the industrious Fenech threatened again but his long-range shot was blocked by Muscat In the 39th minute, Hamrun claimed a penalty when Gaetan Spiteri looked to have been upended by Ben Camilleri but referee Clayton Pisani allowed play to continue.

Hibs could not have hoped for a better start to the second half as they managed to breach the Spartans' resistance after only four minutes.

From an Andrew Cohen corner, the Hamrun defence failed to clear the danger and Scerri flashed in to direct an unstoppable shot past Cordina.

The Spartans almost drew level a minute later when Okoro nodded the ball towards Spiteri whose low shot skimmed the upright.

Six minutes later, Muscat did well to protect his team's advantage, showing fine reflexes to push over Okoro's deflected half-volley.

On 64 minutes, Degiorgio effected a triple substitution, roping in Johnny Debattista, Diego Cucciardi and Chidi Nwankwo instead of Spiteri, Stefan Sultana and Patrick Ndah respectively.

However, the 'newcomers' had little time to make their mark as a minute later, Hibs doubled their advantage.

Julian Vella, a second-half substitute for Clayton Failla, sped into the area from the left before sizing up a fierce shot that gave Cordina no chance.

Hibs were now clearly on top and on 68 minutes, Scerri should have added a third goal when, with only Cordina to beat, he shot straight at the Hamrun goalkeeper.

Sixteen minutes from time substitute Jonathan Pearson received an inviting pass from Cohen in the centre of the Hamrun box but he shot well over from a good position.

In the 77th minute, Cohen was again the provider when his curling free-kick found Scerri who headed over from a few metres out.

With the Spartans unable to stage a reaction, Hibs coasted through the last 13 minutes of the game to record their 10th win of the season.

Hamrun Spartans: J. Cordina-6, J. Magri Overend-6, S. Sadowski-5, P. Ndah-5.5 ('64 E. Nwankwo-5), K. Borg-5, M. Okoro-6, A. Mansueto-5.5, R. Fenech-6, D. Galea-5, S. Sultana-5.5 ('64 D. Cucciardi-5), G. Spiteri-5.5 ('64 J. Debattista-5).

Hibernians: M. Muscat-6, P. Pullicino-6 ('70 A. Xuereb), K. Spiteri-6, A. Pulis-6, E. Mbong-6, T. Scerri-7.5, A. Cohen-6.5, C. Failla-5 ('46 J. Vella-6.5), B. Camilleri-6, E. Agius-5.5 ('59 J. Pearson-6), D. Camilleri-6.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Scorers: Scerri 49; Vella 65.

Yellow Cards: B. Camilleri; Pulis.

BoV Player of the Match: Terence Scerri (Hibernians).