HIBERNIANS 2 MOSTA 2
Mosta and Hibernians fought out an entertaining draw as the Paolities came from behind twice to salvage a point and maintain a six-point buffer from Mosta for the third spot.
Making a return for the Paolities was Bjorn Kristensen who missed the 3-1 victory over Sliema because of suspension while Zoran Levnaic handed a first-team recall at the expense of Clayton Failla.
Mosta are boosted by the return from suspension of Italian striker Gian Marco Piccioni and defender Tyrone Farrugia coming in for Kurt Zammit and Riccardo Faria respectively.
Hibernians started the game in confident mood. In eighth minute, Mosta goalkeeper Omar Borg prevented the Paolites taking an early lead when smothering away Jackson Lima’s thunderbolt. Ten minutes later, a menacing left-wing free-kick by Jackson Lima causes some apprehension in the Mosta defence as Radusinovic’s strong run to connect to the Brazilian’s inswinger caused goalkeeper Borg to tip the ball over the bar.
The modus operandi was the same a minute later as Lima’s corner soared towards the far side of Mosta’s box and defender Pearson scored with a glancing header that finished just over.
Mosta, arguably against the run of play took the lead in a fortuitous circumstances as Daniel Balzan’s glaring mistake allowed Mosta to go in front. It was a Piccioni freekick that flew over the defensive wall and Balzan completely misjudged the ball, seeing it bounce over him at the base of the near post.
Two minutes into the second half, Balzan made up for his early mistake as he pulled off a top-notch save to repel Antonio Carrozza’s curl into corner with Kaljevic injured on ground, clearly obstructing the goalkeeper. Three minutes later, the Hibs custodian produced another smart save to palm away Piccioni’s drive.
Having looked short of fluency and cohension in the first half, Mosta now infused the much-needed urgency into their game. However, in their first telling attack of the second half, Hibs equalised after 51 minutes. The goal stemmed from the elusive feet of Jackson Lima who caught Mosta on the left flank on the wrong foot before Luis Edison with his back to goal, smoothen the ball for Obinna Obiefule who buried the ball behind Borg from close-range.
Past the hour mark, Piccioni advanced unchallenged past Hibs’ dishevelled defence but lost his breath in front of Balzan and shot feebly into Balzan’s hands.
Five minutes later, the Italian striker made amends when Kaljevic threaded an excellent through ball to Piciconi who sped clear Radusinovic before slotting past the onrushing Balzan.
Enrico Piccioni’s team were in ascendancy but Hibernians equalised five minutes later, Jean Paul Farrugia stroking the ball home from close in after getting first to Obiefule’s pass who managed to set up the striker despite being hauled down in the box by Mark Brincat.
Moments later, Hibernians should have take the lead but Jackson Lima’s pile-driver was stopped by the post.
Mosta worked a head of steam as the match moved into its last eight minutes with substitute Diego Pereira forcing Balzan to paw away his long-range shot. The Blues forced a couple of corners but Hibs held on to take a point.