Hibs demolish Birkirkara - Mqabba return to winning
Hibs 5 - Birkirkara 0 Hibernians put five past an ailing Birkirkara, to register another victory in a convincing fashion that has become their norm. The goals came from five different scorers, a fact which added a touch of class to another vibrant...
Hibs 5 - Birkirkara 0
Hibernians put five past an ailing Birkirkara, to register another victory in a convincing fashion that has become their norm. The goals came from five different scorers, a fact which added a touch of class to another vibrant and confident display by Mark Miller’s men, which made it an ordeal for their opponents.
The first blow was always going to be of huge importance, even more so when Hibernians were able to deliver it after 23 minutes when Dias rose above everyone to head home from a corner by Clayton Failla.
The Paolities’ supremacy deserved further reward and it duly came before half-time. It was a freak goal in the sense that when Mora spilled Pisani’s shot into the path of Cohen, the nippy midfielder slipped as he planted his standing foot with the consequence that the ball flew into the air and landed at the feet of Edward Herrera who poked home.
Briefly after the restart, Birkirkara recaptured some confidence following the introduction of Vella in lieu of Scicluna. The switch brought the desired effect as they looked sharper and Vella struck the bar with a powerful volley from Pereira’s cross after 55 minutes. Pleased with the team’s reaction, Zammit effected another substitution and brought on Leighton Grech to add more weight upfront.
Tensions and emotions were running high and tempers boiled over in the 65th minute following an ugly tackle by Andrew Decesare on Dias led to an exaggerated ruck just in front of the dug outs. When the Brazilian picked himself up, Decesare dragged him down as he lay on the ground the striker impulsively kicked the defence on the leg and they were both sent off.
There was more drama to come though as Hibernians refused to lie down and allow Birkirkara to come at them and they made it 3-0 after 68 minutes. Failla delivered a teasing cross in the box and Edison threw himself forward to head past Mora.
That third goal resulted in Birkirkara going into a defensive shell as Failla showed his goalscoring prowess when he powered in a rising shot after a delightful weaving run on the left flank.
In the 77th minute, the Stripes were given a chance to find a late consolation goal when the Hibernians rearguard handled Grech’s cross in the box. But, Mario Muscat guessed correctly and saved low to the left from Cilia’s spot-kick, to deny the midfielder the joy of goal.
Peirera then saw red after hauling down Edison and there was still time for a fifth, after the Brazilian turned provider when he swept past the onrushing goalkeeper Mora and waited for Cohen to move upfield in order to get his name on the score sheet as the nippy midfielder poked the ball home in an unguarded net. A remarkable act of class and altruism from an outstanding player!
Mqabba 1 Marsaxlokk 0
Earlier this afternoon Bojam Mamic scored early in the second half to give Mqabba the three points against Marsaxlokk in today's first Premier League Match.
He scored in the first action after the break, profiting from a passing mistake by Sacha Borg.
Mamic had had a great chance at goal in the first five minutes of the game but his shot went wide. He also set up Ootezica in the 25th minute but that effort went high.
Mamic was voted player of the match.