Hibernians were back to winning ways as they eased past struggling Vittoriosa Stars 5-1 at the Tedesco Stadium.

Hibernians quickly seized control of the game and on 14 minutes Sean Cini charged out of his goal and brought down Zoran Levnaic on the edge of the area. The Vittoriosa goalkeeper was shown the yellow cards but he could do nothing to stop Jackson Lima’s curling drive that flew into the net.

After that early breakthrough, Hibs maintained the initiative but they had to wait until the start of the second half to extend their advantage.

The clock marked 52 minutes when from a Jackson Lima free-kick, Andrew Cohen anticipated his marker to head the ball past Cini.

That third goal duly arrived on the hour when Failla was brought down in the area by Samir Arab and referee Glen Tonna immediately pointed to the spot. The Hibs winger stepped up for the kick and beat Cini with a low drive.

Vittoriosa managed to pull a goal back on 75 minutes when Jose Aguiar burst into the area and squared the ball into the path of Pereira who buried the ball home.

But it was Hibs who had the final say as on 76 minutes, in a quick break substitute Matthew Bartolo released Edison who was clean through and slid the ball past Cini.

Hibs grabbed a fifth goal four minutes from time when Cohen picked Edison on the edge of the area and the Brazilian forward showed great footwork to sidestep the onrushing Cini and stab the ball into an empty net.

Failla had the chance to complete his hat-trick a minute from time when the Paolites were awarded a penalty after Clive Spiteri fouled Edison inside the area and the referee again pointed to the spot.

Despite, though, Failla saw his low drive blocked by Cini in two attempts.

Hibs winger Clayton Failla was voted as the BOV Player of the match.