Five-goal Scerri sinks Rainbows

Tarxien Rainbows 2
Chircop 27; Bueno 76
Hibernians 7
Camilleri 30; Caruana 40; Scerri 41, 46, 64, 74, 79

Hibs recaptured top spot in the Premier League yesterday after they crushed neighbours Tarxien Rainbows 7-2.

It was a vintage performance by the Paolites who overwhelmed their rivals with a devastating attacking display after Tarxien looked to have shocked their rivals when taking a 27th-minute lead.

Hibs dominated Tarxien thereafter with Terrence Scerri taking centre-stage after scoring five goals between the 41st and 79th minutes to send his team one point clear of Valletta.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro was certainly disappointed with his team's tame display as the relegation strugglers were unable to cope with the physical presence and agility of Scerri.

The Paolites were yesterday led from the touchline by assistant coach Edmond Lufi as head coach Mark Miller was serving the first of a two-match ban.

With Alexis Tekumu Mbongo out of the picture after quitting the club for personal reasons, Miller drafted in Ben Camilleri while Jonathan Pearson replaced the injured Aaron Xuereb.

Coleiro was hindered by the absence of injured Brazilian forward Denni Dos Santos. Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Andrew Decesare were suspended with Manuel Caruana and Malcolm Buttigieg taking their places in the Tarxien line-up.

Hibs came agonisingly close to an opener after seven minutes when Rumen Galabov anticipated Tarxien keeper Anthony Curmi to reach a seemingly harmless cross in the area but luckily for the Rainbows, defender Everson De Lima was quick to clear the ball away.

Two minutes later, Curmi touched away Clayton Failla's curling shot from a free-kick.

The Paolites maintained their dominance in the early stages.

After 13 minutes, Scerri won a ball in midfield before speeding towards the Rainbows area but his shot was fisted away by Curmi. From the rebound, Failla hit over.

Midway through the first half, Edward Herrera's throughball was controlled by Scerri who outmuscled De Lima but his lob was beaten away by Curmi.

Hibs' initial failure to convert their scoring chances proved costly on 27 minutes when Tarxien struck with virtually their first attempt at goal.

Mark Tanti slid the ball into the path of Warren Chircop who unleashed a powerful shot that gave Mario Muscat no chance.

However, the Rainbows' lead only lasted three minutes as on the half hour the Paolites drew level.

Christian Callejas's intelligent pass was controlled by Camilleri who beat the onrushing Curmi with a low shot.

Hibs continued to push forward. Five minutes from half-time, Curmi pushed away Failla's free-kick but from the rebound, Galabov headed towards goal with the ball being deflected home by Jonathan Caruana.

The score became 3-1 barely 60 seconds later when Failla served Scerri just outside the area and the Hibs forward fired past Curmi.

Miller's men rubberstamped their victory in the first minute of the second half when Andrew Cohen found Scerri who sent the net bulging with a strong effort.

The Rainbows' defence was looking out of sorts and on 48 minutes, Hibs should have made it 5-1 when Scerri squared the ball to Camilleri but the youngster incredibly stabbed wide in front of a gaping goal.

However, the fifth goal arrived on 64 minutes when, following a quick break, Scerri advanced unopposed into the Rainbows area and beat Curmi with a grounder.

Scerri made it a personal poker 16 minutes from time when slotting the ball home after being put through by Cohen.

Tarxien pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time when, from a David Camilleri free-kick, Bueno headed past Muscat.

But, three minutes later, Hibs restored their five-goal cushion when Scerri bamboozled the Tarxien defence with some delightful footwork before planting the ball past a stranded Curmi.

Tarxien Rainbows
A. Curmi-4, S. Sadowski-4, M. Caruana-4.5 ('46 O. Grech-5), M. Buttigieg-4 ('60 L. Galea-5), E. De Lima-4.5, W. Chircop-5, M. Tanti-5.5, D. Camilleri-5, R. Schembri-4, D. Bueno-5.5, L. Vella Critien-5.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, J. Caruana-6.5, E. Herrera-6, A. Pulis-6 ('66 E. Cauchi-5), C. Failla-7 ('78 J. Xerri), C. Callejas-6.5 ('69 L. Grech-6), T. Scerri-9, A. Cohen-7, J. Pearson-6, R. Galabov-7, B. Camilleri-6.5.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Buttigieg; Sadowski; O. Grech.

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