HIBERNIANS-1, BIRKIRKARA-4

Birkirkara stayed on course to defend their title after brushing aside Hibernians 4-1 to go five points clear at the top with only one game remaining.

It was a professional display from the Stripes who pulled clear of the battling Hibernians with three second-half goals, in the process increasing the pressure on title rivals Valletta who now need to beat Balzan on Monday to set up a decisive clash with Birkirkara next Saturday.

The game began on a quiet note as the two teams struggled for fluency.

It was Birkirkara who came close to taking the lead on 12 minutes when defender Matheus Bissi produced a thumping free-kick which sailed wide of the far post.

Hibs replied with a long-range shot by Jackson Lima which ended high and wide.

Midway into the first half, Birkirkara missed a great chance to open the scoring. Edward Herrera ran clear on the right before putting a dangerous cross that flew over the diving Daniel Balzan but Shola Shodiya Haruna blasted over with the goal at his mercy.

Four minutes later, Birkirkara scored. Herrera again played a prominent role as he advanced on the right before hitting a cross-shot that elude Balzan and Jhonnattann tapped the loose ball into the net.

Three minutes past the half-hour, Clayton Failla's powerful free-kick from the distance was off target.

The match came to life in the second half.

Hibs should have equalised when Obinna Obiefule's diagonal pass found Edison unmarked but the Brazilian hammered wide with only Justin Haber to beat.

Referee Mario Apap then turned down Birkirkara's penalty appeals after Paul Fenech's cross came off Jonathan Pearson but, two minutes past the hour, the champions doubled their lead.

Jhonnattann's curling cross from a right-wing free-kick flew towards the six-yard box and Zach Muscat headed past Balzan to send their fans into raptures.

After cutting out a dangerous Lima cross, Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, again denied the Hibs midfielder.

Hibs suffered a fatal setback when Obiefule was shown a straight red card after he was deemed to have hit Zach Muscat in the face.

The champions wrapped up the points when Herrera, one of their best players, sped into the box from the right before hammering the ball past Balzan.

Seven minutes from time, Birkirkara made it 4-0, Jhonnattann running past Jonathan Pearson and goalkeeper Balzan before ramming the ball home.

Hibs scored a consolation goal three minutes from time, Lima guiding his shot past Haber after getting on the end of Failla's low cross.

In stoppage time, Haber denied Hibs a second goal when dashing off his line to repel Edison's effort.

Herrera was voted BOV player of the match.

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