Valletta roar back after early shock

Valletta 3
Mifsud 32; Scerri 72; Cruyff 75
Hibernians 1
Hogg 23

Birkirkara's shadow loomed large over this match. Seven points adrift of the table-topping Stripes after the latter's 3-1 victory over Qormi on Friday, Valletta were under mounting pressure to shrug Hibs aside and keep up a semblance of pressure on the leaders.

With their title hopes hanging by a thread, the last thing Valletta needed yesterday was an unfortunate own goal by their goalkeeper Andrew Hogg early in the first half when the score was still goalless.

Hogg's misdeed lifted Hibs' hopes of causing an upset but Valletta roared back with typical vengeance to achieve a deserved 3-1 victory that shows that, however remote their title chances might be, the City players are determined to fight on.

Thanks to their success last night, Valletta reduced the gap on Birkirkara to four points with only three matches to go.

Caanen's starting XI featured four changes from Tuesday's National League 100 Anniversary Cup. Midfielder Jamie Pace was forced out by suspension while goalkeeper Nicky Vella, flank defender Steve Bezzina and midfielder Kevin Sammut were dropped.

First-choice goalkeeper Hogg, defender Kenneth Scicluna and forwards Declan O'Brien and Terrence Scerri were handed a first-team recall.

Injury deprived Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, of three players, namely Christian Callejas, Miguel Lopes de Pina and Ryan Camilleri. Miller favoured a 4-3-1-2 formation with Andrew Cohen and Ben Camilleri leading their attack.

Valletta made a brisk start. Jonathan Caruana, Hibs' holding midfielder, charged down a dangerous shot from Mifsud.

Hibs had to wait until the 12th minute to fashion their first glimmer of a chance. Edward Herrera set off on a diagonal run on the left before hitting a piledriver that sailed wide.

At the other end, Roderick Briffa slipped an excellent through-ball to Mifsud who darted into the box but his low strike from an angled position was off target.

With Priso flitting in and out purposefully on the left wing, Valletta regained the initiative. On 19 minutes, Priso dazzled past the struggling Yan Cauchi and passed to Scerri whose tame flick lacked power.

A minute later, O'Brien made good progress on the left and centred for Mifsud whose first-time attempt was repelled by Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper.

Valletta now looked a smart bet to open the scoring but a bizarre own goal by their goalkeeper Hogg handed Hibs the lead midway into the first half. Having intercepted a cross wide on the right, Cruyff directed the ball back to Hogg who completely miscued his pass to Scicluna as he curled the ball into his own net.

The crestfallen Valletta goalkeeper reacted to his weird mistake by holding his head between his hands but nine minutes later, Hogg breathed a sigh of relief as his team equalised.

Mifsud turned well on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot past Muscat.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Valletta now roared forward in search of a second goal. In the latter stages of the first half, Agius sent in a right-wing cross into the box but Briffa's acrobatic flick was too long for Scerri.

On another occasion, the elusive Priso slalomed his way towards the edge of the box from where he let fly a stinging drive that Muscat turned away for a corner.

In a rare attack, Hibs' Chris Camilleri tested Hogg with a well-struck effort which the City goalkeeper pushed to his left.

Caanen's troops pressed on the accelerator at the start of the second half. Mifsud was just wide after connecting with Scerri's pass and, moments later, Cauchi prevented the ball from crossing the line after Priso had applied a faint touch to Agius's corner.

Valletta's pressure pinned Hibs in their own half but Miller's men refused to lie down.

Close to the hour, Cohen drifted into the box and fired a shot that was fisted away by Hogg.

The Citizens' riposte was immediate as Priso passed to Scerri inside the box and the striker laid the ball back to Briffa who let fly a pulverising drive but the defiant Muscat pushed the ball over the bar.

With 18 minutes left, Valletta put their noses in front. Steve Borg's long throw-in flew towards Scerri inside the box. The towering striker controlled the ball before rifling an excellent volley past Muscat.

Barely three minutes later, the Citizens increased their lead. Hibs' partial clearance from Agius's corner fell to Briffa who put the ball back into the box and the unmarked Cruyff prodded past Muscat.

Four minutes from the end, Priso's pass sent Mifsud through but the speedy striker rolled the ball wide after turning past Muscat.

Valletta: A. Hogg-5, K. Scicluna-6, S. Borg-6, J. Cruyff-7, R. Briffa-7.5 ('81 D. Grima), L. Dimech-6, G. Agius-6.5 ('76 D. Falzon), D. O'Brien-5 ('66 K. Sammut-6), M. Mifsud-7, T. Scerri-6, D. Priso-7.5.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7, E. Herrera-5, A. Xuereb-6, Y. Cauchi-5 ('51 M. Tabone-4), J. Caruana-6.5, J. Pearson-5, C. Camilleri-5, T. Caruana-5 ('70 J.P. Farrugia), E. Morelato-6, A. Cohen-6, B. Camilleri-6 ('89 N. Chukunyere).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: O'Brien; Herrera; Priso; Agius.

BOV player of the match: Doding Priso (Valletta).