Mosta’s Diego Pereira attempts an overhead volley during the 2-2 draw with Hibs. Photo: Stephen GattMosta’s Diego Pereira attempts an overhead volley during the 2-2 draw with Hibs. Photo: Stephen Gatt

Hibernians 2
Obiefule 51; Farrugia 72;
Mosta 2
Piccioni 40, 67;

This match had all the makings of an intriguing European football play-off.

With six points separating Hibernians and the fourth-placed Mosta, neither side could afford to leave the National Stadium empty-handed as a defeat would have jeopardised their European ambitions.

Four goals were scored in an entertaining encounter between two teams who had one goal in common – attacking football.

It was a fair outcome to a match characterised by a three-goal blitz in 21 minutes after the break.

The draw meant that Mosta failed to cut the gap on Hibernians but Enrico Piccioni’s men provided further evidence of their potential to challenge for a spot in Europe while the Paolites maintained their recent positive run.

Hibernians showed remarkable spirit to hit back twice after two strikes from Gian Marco Piccioni turned the game in Mosta’s favour.

Making a return for the Paolites was Bjorn Kristensen who missed the 3-1 victory over Sliema because of suspension.

Zoran Levnaic was handed a first-team recall at the expense of Clayton Failla whose omission, along with that of Andrew Cohen, must have raised a few eyebrows.

Branko Nisevic’s decision must have been motivated by his desire to add steel to his defensive flanks as well as increasing the chances of winning the long balls.

Ryan Camilleri filled in on the left, Igor Radusinovic and Jonathan Pearson formed the central axis and Timoty Tabone Desira was on the right in a 4-1-4-1 configuration.

Mosta were boosted by the return from suspension of Italian striker Piccioni and defender Tyrone Farrugia who replaced Kurt Zammit and Riccardo Faria respectively.

Hibernians started the game in confident mood. On eight minutes, 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 caused some apprehension in the Mosta defence as Radusinovic’s strong run to connect to the Brazilian’s inswinger prompted 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 but Pearson’s glancing header finished just over.

Mosta, arguably against the run of play, took the lead in fortuitous circumstances as Daniel Balzan’s glaring mistake allowed Mosta to go in front.

It was Piccioni’s free-kick that flew over the defensive wall as Balzan completely misjudged the ball which bounced off the turf and soared above the hapless Hibs goalkeeper.

Two minutes into the second half, Balzan made up for his earlier mistake as he pulled off a top-notch save to repel Antonio Carrozza’s curling drive with the grounded Bojan Kaljevic, who was injured, 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 infused some much-needed urgency into their game. But, 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 advanced on the left wing before serving Luis Edison who, with his back to goal, cushioned the ball for Obinna Obiefule. The Nigerian 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 goal and shot feebly into Balzan’s hands.

Five minutes later, the Italian striker made amends when Kaljevic threaded an excellent through-ball to Piccioni who sped past Radusinovic before slotting past the onrushing Balzan.

Piccioni’s team were in ascendancy but Hibs equalised five minutes later, Jean Paul Farrugia stroking the ball home from close in after reacting first to a pass from Obiefule who managed to set up the striker despite being hauled down in the box by Mark Brincat.

Moments later, Hibs should have taken the lead but Jackson Lima’s piledriver was stopped by the post.

Mosta worked a head of steam as the match moved into the 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 collect a point that kept them well ahead of Mosta in the battle for third place.

Hibernians
D. Balzan-6.5, T. Tabone Desira-6, J. Pearson-6, Z. Levnaic-6.5, I. Radusinovic-5.5, R. Camilleri-6, Jackson Lima-8 (86 C. Failla), B. Kristensen-6, O. Obiefule-7, L. Edison-7, J. P. Farrugia-6 (79 A.Cohen).

Mosta
O. Borg-6, R. Ekani-6, M. Brincat-6, I. Grech-6, T. Farrugia-6, M. Micallef-5.5, I. Zammit-4.5, C. Martins-6 (63 K. Zammit-4), A. Carrozza-6.5, B. Kaljevic-6.5 (77 D. Pereira), G. Piccioni-7.5.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Ekani; Kaljevic; Lima; Edison; Pearson.

BOV player of the match: Jackson Lima (Hibernians).

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