Hibs’ second-half rally stuns Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans2
Grima 15; Ryan Fenech 41
Hibernians 4
Herrera 11; Kristensen 61; McManus 73; Pisani 90;

The Victor Tedesco Stadium is Ħamrun Spartans’ home but lately, it has become a land of conquer for their rivals. And yesterday there was enough evidence to support this theory as Ħamrun succumbed to their third defeat in their ground this season.

Last week, Floriana virtually sealed the passage to the Championship Pool at their expense and yesterday they saw Hibernians win for the first time in 13 matches.

Hibernians remain rooted around the bottom of the table but Mark Miller and his players can at least take comfort from an improved performance and importantly all three points in a match labeled as a ‘last chance saloon’ for their residual opportunities to clinch a top-six berth.

Spartans veteran Rupert Mangion came in for Lee James Agius to take up the holding midfielder’s role behind the more advanced quartet of David Camilleri, Massimo Grima who returned after suspension, Ryan Fenech and Marcelo Pereira as Steve D’Amato set his team out in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Hibernians coach Mark Miller was able to call on Paul McManus after a back pain ruled him out of his team’s 2-2 draw against Marsaxlokk as the Englishman stuck with a 4-4-2 formation.

Before kick-off, Hibernians captain Mario Muscat was presented with a memento by club president Tony Bezzina on the occasion of his 400th league appearance in a Hibs shirt.

The game was also preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of former Malta striker Charles ‘Il-Bahri’ Muscat who passed away this week.

Hibernians belied their league position with a confident start that soon bore fruit. Andrew Cohen picked Richie Hart whose shot on the turn was blocked by Omar Borg after four minutes.

But on 11 minutes, Edward Herrera latched on to a pass by Bjorn Kristensen, created some space on the right flank before slipping the ball past the Ħamrun keeper with a superb shot.

The Paolities have had difficulty on to preserve their leads this season and it showed after a quarter of an hour when they were clinically punished.

David Camilleri drove a low free-kick through the legs of Matt Clarke and Zoran Levnaic to provide Grima with the simplest of tap-ins.

The surge in Hamrun’s confidence was instant, with keeper Mario Muscat saving from Grima’s rising effort, a minute later.

On the half hour mark, McManus’s stinging shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear to let off some of Spartans’ incessant pressure.

It was only a temporary reprieve though, as Ryan Fenech added made it 2-1 after 41 minutes.

He was well picked in the area by Gaetan Spiteri and the Malta midfielder quickly transferred the ball on his favourite foot to fire a thumping left-foot shot across Muscat and into the bottom corner.

Hibernians equalised in the 61st minute when rising high at the far post to meet Herrera’s cross, Kristensen powered his header past Borg and into the net.

The surest sign of their improved fortunes came in the 73rd minute, when McManus, who had not scored since October 24, produced a fine low drive into the corner to end his goal drought and raise the spirits of the Hibs fans.

A few moments later, the Spartans suffered a killer blow when Ryan Fenech was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Another auspicious sign for Hibernians followed in the 90th minute when they managed to reach the feat of scoring four goals in a league match for the first time this season as Steve Pisani dashed past the goalkeeper and flicked the ball home with panache.

Ħamrun Spartans
O. Borg-5, M. Grima-6.5,R. Mangion-5, Roderick Fenech-5, Ryan Fenech, M. Pereira-5, G. Spiteri-6, J. Vukanic-5, M. Hrusba (31 A. Attard-5), D. Camilleri-6 (80 Anizoba), S. Bonnici-5.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, R. Camilleri-6.5, M. Gauci-6 (77 A Pulis), M. Clarke-6, Z. Levnaic-5.5, E. Herrera-8 (90 M. Tabone),S. Pisani-7, R. Hart-7, B. Kristensen-7.5, A. Cohen-6 (81 J Pearson), P. McManus-6.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Ryan Fenech, Camilleri, Pereira, Grima, Kristensen, Spiteri, Pisani.

Red card: Ryan Fenech (Ħ) 86.

BOV player of the match: Edward Herrera (Hibernians).