Slick Hibernians demolish sorry Saints

Hibernians 5
Scerri 9, 46; Galabov 45, 52; Caruana 85
Msida St Joseph 1
Calcado 34 pen.

Hibernians romped to a comfortable victory which could have been by a wider margin had they converted most of the chances that came their way, including a missed penalty by Christian Callejas on 61 minutes.

Msida played poorly and the team needs strengthening in all departments. Surely, they have to improve considerably to avoid facing an uphill struggle all season.

Bar the temporary delight when Pedro Calcado equalised from a penalty, the Saints hardly ever put their opponents under any pressure.

With caretaker coach Edmond Lufi in charge before Mark Miller officially takes over, Hibernians sported a new formation minus some household names including Edmond Agius and Pablo Doffo who sought pastures new. Striker Andrew Cohen is out injured and experienced goalkeeper Mario Muscat was only named as a substitute with Daniel Balzan preferred in goal.

An early lead, complemented by some slick moves, gave the impression that Hibernians could wrap up the three points inside the first half.

However, Msida clawed their way back with Calcado's penalty just after the half hour. The unexpected goal, coupled with Balzan's forced substitution following injury, somewhat derailed the early brisk pace set by the Poalites until Rumen Galabov restored their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Another goal one minute into the restart shaped the rest of the encounter with Lufi's troops always in the driving seat.

Hibs needed just nine minutes to score their opening goal. Adrian Pulis started the move as he squared the ball towards Failla who quickly served Scerri. The surging skipper latched on to the low cross and beat Camilleri with a shot from close in.

But, on 29 minutes Msida were awarded a penalty when Aurelio was tripped inside the box by Caruana.

Referee Tanti ordered a penalty but it was only some five minutes later that the match restarted as Balzan required lengthy treatment on the field before being substituted.

Muscat calmly walked to the goal-line but could do little other than picking the ball from the back of the net after Calcado slotted home from the spot.

Hibernians nearly regained their lead within a few seconds as Scerri did well to turn briskly and whisk a shot that shaved the bar.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Camilleri effected a brilliant save off Scerri's shot but Hibs did manage to forge ahead just before the break. Failla's corner was met by Galabov who towered into the air and headed into the net.

Hibs all but sealed their victory soon after the restart. Callejas delivered an inviting free-kick into the box and Scerri darted in freely to hammer the ball home.

With the Hibs scoring machine on song, it was no surprise when the side surged further ahead on 52 minutes. Scerri fed Callejas in midfield with the Uruguayan chipping a perfect cross towards the unmarked Galabov. The ex-Pieta player reacted quickly to shoot past the helpless Camilleri.

Msida faced further anguish when Tyrone Farrugia was judged to have shoved Scerri inside the box just after the hour. Callejas's weak shot from the penalty spot was easily parried by Camilleri.

Inside the last quarter, Scerri was denied a hat-trick as Camilleri dived to his right to palm away the striker's scorching shot from outside the box.

Five minutes from time, Hibs notched their fifth goal as Caruana soared into the area to head Failla's corner inside the net.

On 87 minutes, Scerri had a thundering shot ricocheting off the post as Hibernians kept the slick momentum till the final whistle.

Hibernians
D. Balzan-6 ('34 M. Muscat-6.5), J. Caruana-6.5, E. Herrera-6.5, A. Pulis-6.5, A. Xuereb-6.5, T. Fleri Soler-6 ('68 J. Xerri-6), C. Failla-7, C. Callejas-6.5, T. Scerri-8, R. Galabov-7, J. Pearson-6.5 ('68 T. Caruana-6).

Msida St Joseph
M. Camilleri-6, S. Grima-5 ('53 E. Navarro-5), A. Spiteri-6, T. Farrugia-5, K. Spiteri-5 ('77 S. Vella), A. Farrugia-5, D. Cachia-5 ('53 K. Magro-5), A. Da Silva-5, C. Camilleri-5, P. Calcado-6, M. Aurellio-5.5.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Missed penalty: Callejas (H) 61.

Yellow cards: Galabov, Pearson, Caruana, Calcado.

BOV player of the match: Terence Scerri (Hibernians).