HIBERNIANS-4, NAXXAR LIONS-1
Champions Hibernians maintained their unbeaten start to the start after a 4-1 victory against the struggling Naxxar Lions.
The Paolites were the better team throughout but left it until the last two minutes to seal their second win in three games after Denni, who had scored on his Hibs debut, spoiled his evening by getting himself sent off for retaliation in the second half.
For a short period, Naxxar pushed forward in search of an equaliser only to be punished on the counter.
Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic handed a debut to Brazilian playmaker Denni who started behind Jorginho and Jorge.
Scoring chances were at a premium in the opening 10 minutes but Hibs took the lead after 12 minutes.
There seemed to be little danger to Naxxar when the ball landed at the feet of Jorge outside the box but the Brazilian's strong drive took a deflection as the ball sailed past Julian Azzopardi in the Naxxar Lions goal.
Hibs retained the initiative but struggled to break down Naxxar's defence.
Azzopardi cut out a Marcelo Dias cross towards Jorge after the Brazilian duo had traded passes.
Ryan Gilmour Cassar's deflection from Cohen's free-kick sent the ball towards the upright but Azzopardi managed to palm it on to the post.
The game remained generally dull.
Close to the half-hour mark, Naxxar defender Blazo Rajovic was high from a long-range free-kick.
Denni had a good chance to score on his Hibs debut with goal but his shot, from a central position, was wide.
Moments later, Dias stole the limelight for the wrong reasons. After shooting wide from a good position, Dias gave away a corner after miscuing his backpass from the halfway line.
Naxxar grabbed the opportunity as Emiliano Lattes's cross, from the corner, was met by Sidoine Oussou who headed home from close in.
Hibs threatened to gain an instant equaliser but Bjorn Kristensen sent his shot over the bar after Naxxar had partially cleared Clayton Failla's cross. The Malta wing-back than made a scoring chance of his own as his speedy incursion on the left took him clear of the Naxxar defender but his effort was blocked by the on-rushing Azzopardi.
Naxxar were lucky to end the first half on even terms but Hibs regained their lead, Denni scoring from close range after a one-two with Jorginho.
Hibernians were dominant now.
Cohen's dipping cross-shot from an acute angle ended just wide and Failla was foiled by Azzopardi.
Referee Malcolm Spiteri had to deal with the first contentious moment of the game on 70 minutes when Denni appeared to elbow Armando 'Mandinho' after the latter had repeatedly pulled the Brazilian.
Rajovic quickly made his feelings known to Denni who raised his foot in retaliation. Referee Malcolm Spiteri booked Mandinho before sending off Denni.
With Hibs down to 10 men, Naxxar ought to have gained courage but it was Hibs who nearly applied the killer blow. Jorginho cut in from the right but his low drive was touched away by Azzopardi.
With six minutes remaining, Ossou missed a great chance to level matters for the Lions as he blasted wide after a good incursion by Angus Buhagiar.
Cohen should have killed the game but his rising effort flew marginally wide.
As Naxxar threw more men forward, Hibs were finding more space in attack. The Paolites quickly capitalised as Jorge avdanced unchallenged on the right before picking out Jorginho who prodded past Azzopardi.
Failla made it 4-1 with a strong drive after being set up by the lively Jorginho.
Cohen was named BOV player of the match.