October 12, 1974 was a memorable day for the followers of Maltese football, particularly those from Senglea.

The new season that year opened with a bang as no fewer than 10 goals were scored on the first day of the new league campaign.

Six goals were netted in the opener between Floriana and Valletta as the derby finished in an exciting 3-3 draw between the reigning champions and the FA Trophy holders.

Then, in the second match of the day, newly-promoted Senglea Athletic produced the first big surprise of the season when they beat the more-fancied Hibernians 3-1.

Why is it that, time and again, newly-promoted clubs somehow manage to beat Hibernians?

I do not know how many times this has happened but the statistics back my statement.

Hibs were always unpredictable. They usually reserve their best form for the big fish but then, to the dismay of their supporters, they touch rock bottom against the smaller fry!

All the forecasts before this game pointed towards a Hibs victory but the way the Paolites played that day made even their most loyal supporters lose to confidence in their team.

The Sengleans started the game like a house on fire. They ran all over the pitch, giving the Hibs’ players no chance of settling down.

However, despite this early flurry by the league’s newcomers, it was Hibernians who opened the scoring.

The game was only six minutes old when Senglea goalkeeper Sultana fumbled a shot from the distance by Sunny Gouder.

It seemed that the inexperienced Senglea were in for a heavy defeat but on the contrary, they took the game in hand after Gouder’s goal.

After Frans Mallia missed a golden opportunity to double Hibs’ lead and change, perhaps, the story of this encounter, Senglea came back into the picture with a bang.

Ciantar crossed the ball into the Hibs’ penalty area. Zarb and Buttigieg were caught in two minds and in nipped Cassar to beat Freddie Mizzi with a powerful shot. Before half-time, another blunder, this time between Zarb and Zerafa, presented Senglea with their second goal.

Cassar pushed the ball forward and with the two Hibs defenders staring at each other, Gatt stepped in to beat the helpless Hibs goalkeeper.

The second half saw Hibs attack the Senglea fort mercilessly in a bid to score an equaliser. They had plenty of space in which to manoeuvre the ball. However, instead of trying to force their way into the box, they kept passing the ball back in a vain attempt to open their opponents’ defence.

Good scoring chances for Hibs were few and far between but, at one point, Gouder found himself in an excellent position. His flashing header, however, skimmed the Senglea bar.

It seemed to be only a matter of time before the Senglea defence would succumb but then came the unexpected final blow.

Gatt passed the ball to Saliba who hit it with the outside of his foot and the ball swerved past Mizzi.

That goal completed the humiliation of the Hibs players. For much of the remainder of the game, they were booed and jeered by their own supporters.