Melita 1
Sierra Camacho 28
Hibernians 5
Cohen 13; Farrugia 77, Failla 18, 83; Pulis 38

Hibs looked home and dry as they surged into a 3-1 half-time lead against an inept Melita side. But, an act of petulance by Udo Nwoko, sent off for retaliation eight minutes into the second half, threatened to knock the Paolites off their stride as Melita beefed up their attack in search of a goal that would have resuscitated their fading hopes.

For a brief period, Hibs opted for caution but, even with 10 men, they possessed plenty of ammunition to gun down this poor Melita team whose gross limitations were ruthlessly laid bare by the technical brilliance of Andrew Cohen and the powerful marauding of Clayton Failla.

Having tormented Melita with his excellent delivery in the first half, Cohen inspired Hibs’ late flourish as the Paolites struck twice in the last 13 minutes for a resounding 5-1 victory that sent them top of the table, albeit with a game more than Birkirkara and Valletta who are in action this afternoon.

In his pursuit of continuity, Hibs coach Michael Woods selected the same team as in last weekend’s FA Trophy match against Mosta.

Brazilian striker Allan Kardeck was again stationed at the tip of Hibs’ 4-1-4-1 formation with Marcelo Dias and Cohen providing the width.

Luke Micallef took over from the departed Luis Jose Armaro Negrin as Melita’s main striker with Julian Galea acting as link between midfield and attack.

It was Hibs who drew first blood after 13 minutes. Melita’s defending in a set-piece situation was poor as Failla’s teasing cross from a right-wing free-kick soared into the penalty box and Cohen, one of the smallest players on the field, escaped the attentions of the opposing defenders to head home at the near post.

Things could have got worse for Melita when goalkeeper Karl Zahra failed to hold the ball from a Cohen free-kick but Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho, yesterday playing at left-back, cleared the danger.

Melita’s reprieve was temporary as, on 18 minutes, they conceded again. Cohen turned provider as his set-piece cross from the left sailed towards Failla who duly guided the ball past Zahra.

With Hibs already two goals up inside the opening minutes, the game looked as good as over as a contest but the Paolites were shaken out of their comfort zone on 28 minutes as Melita narrowed the deficit.

A good move by the Reds saw Galea aiming a rapier drive towards goal but Mario Muscat repelled his effort. The loose ball dropped at the feet of Sierra Camacho who bundled the ball home from close range.

As Melita jogged back into their own half, Woods brought on Jean Paul Farrugia for Kardeck, who picked up an injury.

Melita should have equalised when Andrew Caruana Scicluna’s quickly-taken free-kick from midfield caught the Hibs defence on the wrong foot as Micallef nipped between two defenders but his lob was high.

Seven minutes from half-time, Hibs re-established their two-goal lead. Melita’s defensive woes in set-pieces persisted as Cohen’s exquisite cross-cum-shot from a left free-kick ricocheted off the back post and the ball flew towards the other post where the unmarked Adrian Pulis nodded home.

On the stroke of half-time, Hibs had what looked like a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down by referee Adrian Azzopardi after Dias’s flick glanced off Rudy Alhinho’s outstretched right arm. The Brazilian had been teed up by Farrugia.

A minute into the second half, Farrugia volleyed over from Cohen’s through-ball. Hibs were the better side after the restart but, eight minutes into the second half, they suffered an unexpected setback when Nwoko for violent conduct.

Melita nearly gained instant profit from their numerical advantage as Micallef burst clear on the right but his angled grounder was touched away by Muscat.

Patxi Salinas, the Melita coach, made a double substitution midway into the second half, Michael Cachia and Luke Sammut replacing Michael Martin and Rizzo respectively.

The introduction of Cachia was meant to boost Melita’s attacking threat as he flanked Micallef up front. Melita inevitably gained ground but Hibs still had an array of creative players who could hurt their opponents at any time.

Chief among these was Cohen. The Hibs talisman cut in from the right but his shot was blocked by Zahra.

Cohen was not to be denied though as, 13 minutes from time, he exchanged passes with Dias from a corner and his curling cross-cum-shot deceived Zahra as Farrugia leapt to apply the final touch.

Melita’s frustration was evident when Rizzo, who had been substituted, was red-card for dissent.

With seven minutes remaining, Hibs piled on the agony for Melita as Failla hammered past Zahra after receiving from Cohen.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow Cards: Rizzo; Levnaic; Borg; Dias; Camacho.

Red Card: Nwoko (H) 53.

Bov Player Of The Match: Andrew Cohen (Hibs).

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