Draw in heavyweights clash

Hibernians 1
Birkirkara 1

The first heavyweights clash of the 2007/08 Premier League campaign ended all-square as Birkirkara and Hibernians cancelled each other out in a hard-fought encounter.

The match sprang into life in the second half after both teams seemed unable to gain the edge in a quiet opening 45 minutes. However, after the interval both teams stepped up a gear with Hibernians looking particularly dangerous with their swift attacking forays orchestrated by Andrew Cohen, Julio Alcorse and Terrence Scerri.

In fact, it was Scerri who struck first midway through the second half.

But that goal only served as a wake-up call for the Stripes as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser which came soon after thanks to towering defender Ronni Hartvig who completed a memorable league debut for his team by being named man of the match.

All in all the final scoreline was a fair result and both sides should be pleased to have completed their first test of the season with limited damage as they look to step up their challenge in the coming weeks.

Boris Sandjo was a notable addition to the Birkirkara squad as the Central African striker was registered as the club's third foreigner just in time to feature in John Buttigieg's team.

Sandjo was awarded a starting berth in attack alongside captain Michael Galea. However, his contribution only lasted 10 minutes as he suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Alan Tabone.

Midfielder Adrian Ciantar failed a fitness test and Shaun Bajada was given the nod to make his first official appearance for the Stripes following his move from Marsaxlokk. Bernard Paris started in goal ahead of new signing Omar Borg.

Hibernians coach Robert Gatt had no injury problems and fielded the same 11 players who had triumphed in the Super Cup final against Marsaxlokk earlier this month.

The match was played at a good rhythm in the opening exchanges even though both teams failed to create a single goal-scoring opportunity as their distribution of the ball in the final third of the pitch left much to be desired.

The first real chance came on 26 minutes when Lee Lombardi, another new signing for Birkirkara, did well to outpace Adrian Pulis before firing a rasping shot that flew just wide.

Hibs' response came just three minutes later when from a Cohen corner, Scerri was first to the ball but headed well over.

Eight minutes before the break, Hibs almost broke the deadlock when Pablo Doffo served Argentine compatriot Alcorse in the area. He did well to turn past his marker but the shot was blocked by the Birkirkara defence.

A minute from the interval Birkirkara newcomer Paul Fenech tried his luck from a distance but the ball failed to hit the target.

Tempers flared in added time when George Mallia reacted following a robust Doffo tackle. Referee Marco Borg soon restored order by booking both players.

Birkirkara almost scored early in the second half. The clock marked 48 minutes when Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat had to dive to his right to stop a Galea shot from a free-kick.

Hibs responded eight minutes later when Cohen almost hit the target from a free-kick but his curling shot breezed past the bar.

On the hour, Hartvig came to Birkirkara's rescue when he cleared in time Alcorse's goalbound header from a Failla cross.

The Paolites kept threatening and on 64 minutes Cohen set up Agius whose header flew inches over the bar with Paris beaten.

Hibs' persistence in attack paid dividends on 66 minutes when Failla did well to recover possession on the right hand side of the area and quickly served the ever-present Scerri who hit home past Paris.

Cohen almost made it 2-0 on 71 minutes but his piledriver just missed the frame of goal with Parnis stranded.

Hibernians' lead only lasted eight minutes. Shaun Bajada floated an inviting ball into the box from a free-kick and Hartvig anticipated his shadower to plant home a firm header.

Alcorse had a good chance to restore Hibs' lead on 79 minutes when he was put through by Cohen. However, with only Paris to beat, the Argentine saw his effort stopped by the alert goalkeeper.

Fenech tried to hit a winner for the Stripes four minutes from time but his shot was blocked in two attempts by Muscat.

In the end, the stalemate prevailed.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-6, K. Cassar-6.5, A. Xuereb-6, R. Mintoff-6, A. Pulis-6, E. Agius-6.5, P. Doffo-7, C. Failla-6.5, A. Cohen-7.5, J. Alcorse-7, T. Scerri-7.

Birkirkara: B. Paris-6, A. Galea-5.5, P. Fenech-6.5, M. Galea-6.5, M. Anastasi-6 ('86 T. Paris), R. Hartvig-7.5, L. Lombardi-6, S. Bajada-6.5 ('79 J. Zerafa), B. Sandjo ('10 A. Tabone-6), G. Mallia-6.5, E. Yantchev-6.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow Cards: Mintoff, Mallia, Doffo, Failla, Tabone.

Scorers: Scerri 66; Hartvig 74.

BoV Player of the Match: Ronni Hartvig (Birkirkara).