Birkirkara 2 Hibs 1

Birkirkara kept their title bid firmly on track this afternoon with a 2-1 victory over current champions Hibs.

Goals from Sylvano Comvalius and Michael Galea gave Birkirkara their third successive victory in the Championship Pool as the Stripes opened up a three-point gap on Valletta (who later lost to Sliema).

Coming from a 2-1 defeat to Valletta, Hibs needed a win to revive their title hopes but this defeat all but ends their chances of retaining the league crown. Birkirkara forced the early pace. After just six minutes, Trevor Cilia swung in an excellent cross towards the unmarked Michael Galea but the latter’s volley was off target.

Joseph Zerafa sped forward on the left before serving Galea who hit a low shot but Jonathan Pearson blocked the Birkirkara striker’s effort. The Stripes forged ahead on 18 minutes. Cilia again exposed Hibs’ difficulties to cope with crosses as his service from the right dropped to Comvalius who stroked the ball past the out-of-position Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper.

Hibs’ attacking threat was meagre in the first half. They created one half-chance when Triston Caruana’s free-kick from the right sailed across the face of goal with Elton Morelato just failing to get a touch to the ball. Early in the second half, Hibs’ Matthew Tabone, a first-half substitute for the injured Ryan Camilleri, rescued his team from a potentially dangerous situation when he dispossessed Comvalius who had been sent through by Paul Fenech.

Muscat then saved from Galea who had been released by Shaun Bajada but Hibs almost snatched an unlikely equaliser. Jonathan Caruana hit a strong drive that hit the outside the far post. Birkirkara doubled their lead seven minutes from time, Galea heading home from Alan Tabone’s corner.

Barely three minutes later, Hibs reduced the deficit when Barbara supplied Caruana who cut in from the left before beating Mora with a low shot. Birkirkara’s Trevor Cilia was named player of the match.