Pereira caps Spartans' comeback

Ħamrun Spartans 2
Cucciardi 81; Pereira 90 pen.
Hibernians 2
Callejas 39; Caruana 68

Two goals up by the 68th minute, Hibernians looked to be coasting to victory against a Ħamrun Spartans side who had been the sprightlier side in the first half.

Not for the first time this season, the champions contrived to spurn a dominant position as the resilient Spartans scored two late goals - the second courtesy of a Marcelo Pereira penalty at the death - to snatch a dramatic draw.

The late arrival of Spartans' goals deflated Hibs but Ħamrun certainly deserved to get something from the match.

Mario Muscat returned to guard Hibs' goal after suspension. Hibs coach Mark Miller also handed a recall to Aaron Xuereb after the Malta defender completed his recovery from his latest injury.

The only change in the Ħamrun team from the 1-0 victory over Tarxien was enforced upon coach Steve D'Amato by the one-match ban of Roderick Fenech.

Aaron Attard replaced Fenech in the team but the latter's customary position at centre-half was occupied by Mark Anthony Bonnici.

The Spartans were the more active side in the opening stages.

On 21 minutes, Muscat fisted away Clyde Camoin's dangerous cross from a free-kick. Five minutes later, Pereira cut in from the left and teed up Gaetan Spiteri who hit a rising shot that the Hibs keeper pushed over the bar.

The ensuing corner was partially cleared by Hibs but the ball broke to Spiteri who rifled another dangerous drive that Muscat could not hold. With the Hibs defenders slow to react, Manolito Micallef swooped on the rebound but shot wide.

In a rare Hibs breakaway, Andrew Cohen broke clear on the left and sent a low cross into the six-yard box but the steaming Etienne Barbara failed to connect.

Just over six minutes of the first half remained when Hibs seized the lead.

Adrian Pulis delivered an excellent cross for Christian Callejas to head home from routine distance.

Ħamrun threatened an immediate equaliser when Mawete set up Diego Armando Cucciardi, who had come on for the injured Attard, but the substitute's effort was deflected away for a corner.

Miller's half-time talk stirred Hibs from their first-half torpor. The Paolites lay into Ħamrun and their efforts yielded a second goal midway through the second half.

Cohen made good progress on the right before supplying a perfect cross that Xuereb headed down towards Caruana who volleyed home.

D'Amato brought on Mark Barbara for Bonnici and encouraged his team to push forward.

It took the Spartans a while to get going but they moved through the gears in the final 15 minutes.

Spiteri was unlucky not to pull one back for the Spartans when his lob landed atop the crossbar but Ħamrun got back into contention nine minutes from time.

Camoin's free-kick dropped in the goalmouth and as the Hibs defence failed to clear, Cucciardi nipped in to poke the ball past Muscat.

In stoppage time, Pereira fired the ball into the net but only after the referee had blown his whistle for a handball by the Brazilian forward.

The Spartans' late onslaught produced a spate of corners which encouraged Ħamrun goalkeeper Ivan Casha to move upfield to support his team's attacks. From one of these corners, the ball fell to Cucciardi whose shot appeared to hit Callejas's hand and referee Arciola pointed to the spot.

Pereira scored from the penalty to salvage a draw for the Spartans.

In the stands, a skirmish broke out in the side housing the Hibs and Valletta fans as the latter cheered when the Spartans were awarded a penalty.

The situation was soon brought under control by the police.

Ħamrun Spartans
I. Casha-5, M.A. Bonnici-5.5 ('74 M. Barbara), A. Attard-5 ('30 D.A. Cucciardi-6.5), R. Mangion-5, M. Micallef-6, J. Holland-5, M. Pereira-6, G. Spiteri-7, M. Hrubsa-7, J.B. Mawete-5, C. Camoin-6.5.

Hibernians
M, Muscat-7, J. Caruana-7, E. Herrera-6, A. Pulis-6, A. Xuereb-5, C. Callejas-6, J. Pearson-5, R. Galabov-5 ('67 E. Cauchi-5), A. Cohen-6 ('82 R. Camilleri), O. Malasenoks-5 ('78 B. Camilleri), E. Barbara-5.5.

Referee Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards Cohen; Pearson; Holland; Spiteri; Xuereb; Cauchi; Pereira; Callejas.

BOV player of the match Andrew Cohen (Hibs).