Stripes hit back from 4-1 down

Hibernians 4
Farrugia 13; Caruana 21, 34; Herrera 27;
Birkirkara 5
Galea 10, 54; Comvalius 42; Bajada 46; Cilia 63;

Birkirkara came out on top in a topsy-turvy match against Hibs to move to within three points of their third Premier League title after sensationally coming back from three goals down.

When Trevor Cilia speared a beautiful shot into the top corner on 63 minutes, it effectively spelt the end of Hibs' fluctuating challenge as Birkirkara restored their four-point lead over Valletta with only two matches left.

Cilia's goal capped an amazing turnaround with Birkirkara looking out of contention after they had been outclassed in the first half. The Stripes were running the risk of being embarrassed by a side that had not won since February 26, and of offering Valletta hope of a late twist in the title race.

Yet, the in-form Cilia scored a goal of audacious nerve and class. After that there was a sense of inevitability about the proceedings.

Birkirkara now need a victory against Tarxien on Friday to secure the title. If they fail to beat Tarxien, Birkirkara would require a draw when they meet Valletta on the final day, provided the latter win their next match against Qormi.

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, will have been happy with yesterday's comeback victory but he will question his team's defence after an astonishing game.

It had all begun so brightly for Zammit's men with their opener inside 10 minutes. The goal was all down to the trickery of Michael Galea who produced a jinking run on the left to carve open the Hibs defence. The Birkirkara skipper picked up a through-ball by Shaun Bajada to shoot through Mario Muscat's legs from a tight angle.

However, Hibs coach Mark Miller had insisted his side would do their utmost to snap their losing run and they made their intentions clear as early as the 13th minute. Andrew Cohen swung in a cross from a free-kick on the left touchline and Jean Paul Farrugia rose in the box to power home a header.

Chris Camilleri had already had a snap-shot saved by Jorge Mora early on. But the goalkeeper was beaten again on 21 minutes. The Birkirkara rearguard was guilty of a short clearance and Tristan Caruana hit an excellent volley past Mora.

This goal brought Zammit to the touchline, gesticulating at his players to tighten up the defence. His words fell on deaf ears though as Edward Herrera cashed in on a hesitation on the edge of the area between Sylvano Comvalius and Nikola Vukanac. The Hibs flank defender ran into the box and slotted past Mora.

Birkirkara's players seemed to lose their bearings as they looked short of ideas. And there was little respite for the Stripes. Just 34 minutes were on the clock when Hibs racked up their fourth.

Caruana, the most influential player in the first 45 minutes, scored with a header from Camilleri's cross.

Angered by their team's poor showing, some Birkirkara supporters began to throw seats at their team's dug-out.

Completely against the run of play, Comvalius, who had earlier missed a great opportunity, threw Birkirkara a lifeline when Cilia's cross-shot hit the crossbar and the rebound fell kindly to the winger who blasted the ball into the net.

Birkirkara made an excellent start to the second half, Bajada scoring direct from a corner as Hibs left the near post unguarded. The Stripes were alive again.

And Birkirkara's recovery was complete on 54 minutes when Comvalius broke away down the left in a sweeping attack and crossed for Galea who headed home from close range.

The massed ranks of Birkirkara supporters, who sat in desolation during the interval, were now in ecstasy as they sensed a victory that seemed impossible just 15 minutes earlier.

The stage was set for a memorable comeback and Birkirkara hit the winning goal nine minutes later when Angus Buhagiar set up Cilia and the winger sent his shot arrowing into the top corner to spark wild scenes of celebration.

After the change of ends, Hibs were a far cry of the energetic side that unsettled Birkirkara in the first half. Substitute Christian Callejas came closest to an equaliser with a header that sailed wide but the Stripes easily preserved their lead to edge closer to the title.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-3, E. Herrera-5, Y. Cauchi-5, A. Xuereb-4.5 ('55 C. Callejas-5), J. Pearson-5, J. Caruana-6, C. Camilleri-6.5, T. Caruana-7.5, A. Cohen-5 ('55 E. Morelato-4), J.P. Farrugia-6.5 ('62 R. Duca-4), B. Camilleri-6.

Birkirkara
J. Mora-3, P. Fenech-7, N. Vukanac-4, B. Nisevic-5, S. Bajada-6.5 ('72 A. Tabone), A. Buhagiar-6.5, T. Cilia-7.5, R. Muscat-6.5, C. Mamo-4.5 ('45 J. Zerafa-6), M. Galea-8.5, S. Comvalius-6 ('81 K. Pulo).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow card: Cauchi.

BOV player of the match: Michael Galea (Birkirkara).