Hibernians kept up the pressure on leaders Birkirkara with a narrow 1-0 win over Mosta in a Championship Pool match last week.

Sta Venera Lightnings returned to winning ways after edging past Mgarr United 1-0.

Hibs were made to fight hard to overcome the stiff challenge of Mosta. They have now joined Birkirkara at the top of the standings on 28 points but the Stripes have a game in hand.

The first 45 minutes produced few goalscoring opportunities.

Hibs' best chance arrived after 15 minutes when Dorianne Theuma's low free-kick rattled the crossbar.

Then, on 22 minutes, Rebecca Chircop's cross-shot was cleared off the line by Mosta defender Marisa Deguara with goalkeeper Sharon Costantino beaten.

Hibs were more aggressive after the change of ends. Five minutes into the second half, a shot by Theuma was parried away for a corner by Costantino.

Seventeen minutes of the game remained when Tessie Agius served Ylenia Carabott inside the Mosta box but the latter hit over from a few metres out.

The woodwork again denied Hibs five minutes later when Sarah Caruana's effort came off the crossbar.

Hibs finally forced a breakthrough five minutes from time. Theuma's shot from a free-kick bounced against the upright but from the rebound, Carabott buried the ball home.

Last Tuesday, Sta Venera and Mgarr met in a Group B match.

Sta Venera enjoyed the better start, Therese Briffa's free-kick hitting the Mgarr upright after 15 minutes.

Five minutes later, the Lightnings thought they had taken the lead when Samantha Bray's free-kick sailed into the net but the 'goal' was annulled for a foul on an Mgarr player.

Sta Venera scored what proved to be the winning goal 10 minutes into the second half when, from a Yanika Debono corner, Christine Dalli anticipated her marker to head the ball home. This was Dalli's 11th goal of the season.

Mgarr tried to get back into the match but the Lightnings did well to administer their advantage.

Team line-ups

Mosta: S. Costantino, M. Vella, M. Deguara, V. Deguara, K. Lia, F. Sammut, R. Gatt, J. Coates, A. Debono, Y. Fenech, D. Briffa (V. Buttigieg).

Hibernians: R. Tagliaferro, L.A. Galea, C. Sciberras, M. Debono, M. Azzopardi, R. Chircop, D. Theuma, T. Agius, R. Farrugia (S. Caruana), K. Saliba, Y. Carabott.

Mgarr: M. Said, M. Vella, D. Azzopardi, S. Mamo, A. Sammut, M. Galea, A. Camilleri, J. Fenech, M. Vella, D. Ebejer, L. Camilleri.

Sta Venera: R. Cutajar, L. Caruana, S. Vella, M. Cardona S. Bray, T. Briffa, Y. Debono, O. Micallef, J. Celeste, M. Borg, C. Dalli.

Top scorers

Y. Carabott (Hibernians) 18 goals; A. Atkins (Sliema Raiders) 12; C. Dalli (Sta Venera) 11; D. Theuma (Hibs) 10; S. Caruana (Hibs) 9.

Next fixtures

Tuesday - 8.15 p.m. Rabat vs Sliema Raiders.

Wednesday - 8.15 p.m. Melita vs Birkirkara.

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