Hibs power to emphatic victory

Marsaxlokk 1
Said 86
Hibernians 4
Camilleri 9; Failla 55; Scerri 65; Cohen 90

Hibs got their Championship Pool campaign off to a flier yesterday as they steamrolled past a depleted Marsaxlokk side in a one-sided encounter at the National Stadium.

It was an impressive display by the Premier League leaders who were in control right from the outset and once Ben Camilleri put them ahead after only nine minutes there was no looking back for the Paolites.

Andrew Cohen was the mastermind of Hibs' victory as his great vision opened several holes in the Marsaxlokk defence while Clayton Failla was a hard-working figure in midfield.

Hibs coach Mark Miller handed Zeferino Borges Soares his first start. The Portuguese forward was deployed in a wide position in support of chief striker Terrence Scerri. Defender Aaron Xuereb was still out with groin trouble while Rumen Galabov was serving a one-match ban.

Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi was without five first-team players.

Julio Alcorse and Gareth Sciberras had to sit out the match due to suspension while goalkeeper Reuben Debono, midfielder Kevin Sammut striker Dylan Kokavessis were all ruled out by injury.

Hibs were up and running right from the outset and inside the opening five minutes Failla raced into the box after a one-two pass with Scerri but the shot was tipped to a corner by Darmanin.

The stalemate was broken four minutes later when Scerri created some space for himself on the right before delivering an inviting pass towards Camilleri who headed past Darmanin.

The Paolites were clearly on top and on 16 minutes they almost struck a second in spectacular fashion. Camilleri was the provider with a perfect centre that picked Cohen whose overhead kick was splendidly pushed away by Darmanin.

Marsaxlokk's response finally arrived on 18 minutes but Christian Cassar's shot from the distance flew wide.

Hibs were controlling proceedings easily even though they were looking less threatening than in the opening minutes of the match. Marsaxlokk were clearly lacking any ideas, Marcelo Pereira looking too isolated in attack.

Seven minutes from the break Failla's throughball released Scerri who sped past his marker but slid the ball wide. At the other end, Pereira served Licari on the right flank but the latter's grounder was blocked by Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

There were no changes after the interval with Marsaxlokk looking to step up their game in search of an equaliser.

Early on, Muscat failed to hold Chris Camilleri's fierce shot but luckily for the Paolites the ball rolled wide for a corner.

However, any thoughts Marsaxlokk had to get back into the match were almost extinguished on 55 minutes when Cohen sped towards Darmanin's goal but was impeded by a tough challenge from Renato Conceicao. A free-kick was awarded and Failla's shot flew into the top corner of the net.

On the hour, Camilleri was again dangerous from the distance but his dipping shot was tipped over the bar by the alert Muscat.

The match was all but over on 65 minutes when Borges Soares beat two defenders on the run, the ball came to Scerri who hit home from close in.

Darmanin saved Marsaxlokk from further misery 15 minutes from time with a fine reflex save on Scerri's header after another Cohen delivery.

Marsaxlokk pulled a goal back four minutes from time. Said was first to a Cassar corner and his firm header flew into the back of the net.

However, it was Hibs who had the final say. In stoppage time, Cohen won a free-kick just outside the Marsaxlokk box and it was the nippy midfielder himself who curled the ball past a stranded Darmanin.

Marsaxlokk
S. Darmanin-4, M. Licari-5 ('61 M. Barbara-5), C. Mamo-5.5, R. Conceicao-5.5; B. Said-6, P. Pullicino-6, C. Camilleri-6.5, W. Camenzuli-5 ('71 C. Brincat-5), T. Templeman-5 ('79 G. Caruana), M. Pereira-5.5, C. Cassar-5.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, J. Caruana-6.5 ('81 T. Fleri Soler), E. Herrera-6 ('86 Y. Cauchi), A. Pulis-6, C. Failla-6.5, C. Callejas-6, T. Scerri-6.5, A. Cohen-7.5, J. Pearson-6, B. Camilleri-6.5 ('59 E. Cauchi-5.5), Z. Borges Soares-6.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Conceicao, Scerri.

BoV Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians).