Scerri keeps Hibs flying high

Hibernians 3
Valletta 1

Without a win to show from four league meetings with Valletta last season, Hibernians cast off their jinx yesterday when upstaging the Citizens in their first encounter of the 2006-2007 league trek.

In another compelling match where it was hard to find one below-par performer among the 22 players who started the game, these two fierce competitors tore into each other in a bid to consolidate their positions in the table.

Valletta drew first blood through Nigerian Uzeh Edafe early in the first half. But the Paolites' increasing pressure coupled with a string of decisive stops by their goalkeeper Mario Muscat at a juncture when the match was finely-poised, skewed the odds in favour of Hibs who made sure of the points with a quick double from Terrence Scerri.

Yesterday's victory not only ended Hibs' negative run against Valletta, it also allowed the Paolites to take sole leadership in the standings with 15 points, albeit they have played a game more than erstwhile co-leaders Marsaxlokk. Valletta remain stuck on eight points from six matches.

Unable to call upon the reliable services of the flu-stricken Steve Bezzina at the heart of Valletta's defence, coach Paul Zammit drafted in Massimo Grima for his first Premier League start in seven months.

The 27-year-old has only recently returned to competitive football after recovering from a cruciate operation.

Renie Forace and Dyson Falzon were the other notable absentees for the Citizens. The onus of replacing these two players fell on two of Valletta's nursery products, Justin Grioli and Dylan Zarb.

Despite Hibs' sweat-stained victory over lowly Pietà Hotspurs last weekend, coach Robert Gatt resisted the temptation to alter his formation.

Before kick-off, Valletta midfielder David Camilleri was presented with a memento by the Hibs Supporters' Club in recognition of the service he gave to their club during his 18-month loan spell with the Paolites.

Hibs' starting line-up contained two players who had contrasting experiences during their time with Valletta. Defender Kevin Cassar spent two positive seasons on loan at Valletta before returning to his home club at the start of this season but not so for Ndubisi Chukunyere whose disappointing spell with Valletta last season lasted less than three months.

Less than two minutes into yesterday's match, Clayton Failla's cross was deflected into the path of Cesar Pablo Doffo but the first-time volley by Hibs' Argentine midfielder whizzed past the near post.

Hibs began confidently, piling the pressure on Valletta but it was the Citizens who, much against the run of play, seized the lead.

Just 16 minutes had elapsed when Ian Zammit unnerved the Hibs defence with a jinking run from a deep position. Zammit's attempt to direct the ball towards the centre of the Hibs area was deflected away, but Edafe, lurking close to the three-quarter mark, pounced on the clearance and unleashed a powerful low shot that flew between the diving Muscat and the right-hand post.

Visibly distraught at having fallen behind, Hibs set about regaining the initiative but the Citizens were not intimidated. It wasn't before 32 minutes that Hibs manufactured a glimmer of a scoring chance but Scerri's backheader was stopped by Saviour Darmanin.

Minutes later, Andrew Cohen dispossessed Grioli and tried to chip the out-of-position Darmanin but the Valletta goalkeeper raced back to fist the ball away from his goal.

Hibs' efforts to raise the tempo of their game by pushing more along the flanks, forced Valletta on the backfoot. Cohen was wide with a fine header from Edmond Agius's cross.

A minute from the interval, Scerri leapt high to connect with Cohen's free-kick but his dipping header touched the underside of the bar before play was stopped for Chukunyere's offside position. In first-half stoppage time, Cohen bent a free-kick past Valletta's human barrier but the ball flashed against the side-netting.

Hibs' task might have become more complicated on 48 minutes had Zarb's header, from an inviting position, not skimmed the far post.

From the grim prospect of falling 2-0 behind, Hibs equalised on 51 minutes. They were awarded a penalty after Grima's tackle caught Scerri's legs just inside the area. Joe Attard instantly pointed to the spot and Cohen rifled his shot past Darmanin.

Valletta threatened to reclaim their lead but Gilbert Agius's scorcher was pushed out by Muscat.

Zarb's risky backpass towards Grima had the City defence in a spot of bother as Scerri powered his way through but somehow the white-shirted players atoned for their young midfielder's error.

A minute past the hour, Valletta thought they had edged ahead when Sebastian Monesterolo fired a ferocious drive but Muscat just managed to keep the ball out with a brave save.

Soon, it was Darmanin's turn to show his commendable reflexes when repelling Doffo's tricky shot.

Hibs had their noses in front on 70 minutes when a misunderstanding between Grioli and Darmanin saw Scerri taking advantage by squeezing past the young City defender before stroking the ball home.

Valletta could have levelled matters within minutes but they were foiled by a top-drawer save from Muscat on Nisevic's firm header.

The game was as good as over on 77 minutes when Hibs scored their third in a swift break. Scerri was again Valletta's executioner as he outpaced Nisevic to reach Udo Nwoko's pass before sending a low shot past Darmanin.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7.5, P. Doffo-7, R. Briffa-6.5, A. Xuereb-7.5, U. Nwoko-6, N. Chukunyere-6 ('83 M. Bartolo), T. Scerri-7.5, A. Cohen-6, C. Failla-6.5, E. Agius-6.5 ('90 T. Caruana), K. Cassar-6.5.

Valletta: S. Darmanin-6, J. Grioli-6, B. Nisevic-6, M. Grima-7, J. Bondin-6, I. Zammit-7.5, U. Edafe-6.5, D. Camilleri-6, D. Zarb-6 ('75 K. Magro), G. Agius-6.5, S. Monesterolo-6.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Scorers: Edafe 16; Cohen 51 pen.; Scerri 70, 77.

Yellow Cards: Zammit; Agius; Doffo; Edafe; Nisevic.

BoV Player of the Match: Terrence Scerri (Hibs).