Pietà Hotspurs 0
Hibernians 3
Edison 61, 88; Failla 63;
Hibernians’ relentless run continued yesterday as the runaway Premier League leaders recovered from a slow start to see off lowly Pietà Hotspurs.
It was far from an impressive performance from the Paolites who looked jaded for most of the first half, creating little danger for a compact Pietà side who, as the minutes ticked away, must have felt that they could take something from this match.
But, as the second half got underway, things changed completely as the Paolites finally clicked into gear and, inspired by the indefatigable Clayton Failla, they managed to overwhelm their opponents.
Hibs finally found the breakthrough just past the hour through their prolific forward Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ before man-of-the-match Failla doubled their lead two minutes later.
Edison bagged a third a minute from time to wrap up another victory that lifted Hibs 18 points clear of nearest rivals Valletta who face Sliema Wanderers this afternoon.
Branko Nisevic, the Hibernians coach, was forced to make do without Marcelo Dias, suspended.
Young Timothy Tabone Desira was given the nod to start at right-back while Jackson Lima was preferred to Johann Bezzina who was among the substitutes.
The Hotspurs were led by player-coach Orosco Anonam from the dug-out as coach Noel Coleiro began a six-month ban following a clash with Floriana player Steve Pisani at the end of last week’s 1-1 draw.
Coleiro brought in Kyle Cesare to beef up his midfield as Brazilian forward Rafael Zacarias was not included in the 18-man squad. Terrence Agius was serving a one-match ban.
As expected, it was Hibs who dominated proceedings from the outset, pinning their opponents in their own half but struggling to find openings.
On 11 minutes, Hibs were awarded a free-kick, taken by Failla, with Edison connecting with the ball but his downward header was turned away for a corner by Pietà goalkeeper David Cassar.
The Hotspurs custodian again had to be alert six minutes later when he blocked Bjorn Kristensen’s header from Andrew Cohen’s free-kick.
As the minutes passed, Pietà began to gain courage with Claudio Frances and Gabriel looking threatening with their quick forays from midfield.
Hibs remained the dominant side but six minutes from the break they almost regaled a goal to the Hotspurs when Rui De Gracia Gomes passed the ball to goalkeeper Henry Bonello who miskicked his clearance but luckily for the Paolites Tabone Desira was on hand to clear the danger.
The Hibs goalkeeper redeemed himself three minutes from the break when he dived to his right to palm away Rafael Rodrigues’s curling shot.
On the restart, Hibs continued to see more of the ball but were showing some uncharacteristic flaws in their passes.
Pietà continued to operate with counter-attacks and on 54 minutes, Jurgen Pisani won possession in midfield before surging forward and releasing Gabriel on the right. The Brazilian quickly returned the ball to Pisani who saw his rising shot finish over.
On 58 minutes, Cassar just managed to smother away Cohen’s corner-kick with Lima’s header cleared off the line by Leo Fortunato. A minute later, Jorginho burst into the area but his diagonal effort was pushed away by Cassar.
On the hour, Nisevic withdrew Tabone Desira and roped in the more offensive Joseph Mbong as he looked to turn up the pressure on the Hotspurs.
A minute later, Hibs struck. The Hotspurs defence failed to clear Failla’s corner with the ball falling into the path of Edison who hit an acrobatic volley past Cassar.
The Hotspurs were rattled and on 62 minutes, they fell two goals behind when Failla picked up a short clearance and hit a scorching drive that gave no chance to Cassar.
The woodwork denied Hibs a third on 72 minutes when Jorginho’s firm drive came off the upright.
It was all Hibs now and a minute later, Cassar showed great reflexes to repel Edison’s shot. From the rebound Cohen fired over.
The Paolites were in cruise control but two minutes from time Pietà might have pulled a goal back when Christian Grech was brought down in the area by goalkeeper Bonello. From the resultant penalty, the Hibs no.1 pushed away Pisani’s shot.
The Hotspurs were immediately punished for this miss as a minute later, following a quick break, Edison broke free and beat Cassar with a firm drive.
Pietà Hotspurs
D. Cassar-6, C. Attard-6.5, C. Grech-6.5, L. Fortunato-5.5, J. Pisani-5, O. Anonam-5, Gabriel-5.5, R. Rodrigues-6 (81 M. Licari), K. Cesare-6 (69 C. Cassar-5), C. Frances-5, L. Micallef-5.5 (63 D. Agius-5).
Hibernians
H. Bonello-6.5, T. Tabone Desira-5.5 (59 J. Mbong-6), R. De Gracia Gomes-6 (75 J. Pearson), J. Lima-6, R. Soares-6, A. Cohen-6.5, B. Kristensen-6 (79 J. Bezzina), C. Failla-7.5, A. Agius-6, L. Edison-7, Jorginho-6.5.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Fortunato; Grech; Bonello.
Missed penalty: Pisani (PH) 88.
BOV player of the match: Clayton Failla (Hibernians).
Attendance: 686.