Hibernians 4
Lima 27; Failla 32 pen; Edison 83; Obiefule 86;
Naxxar Lions 1
Bonnici 19;
A goal to the good and a man up after just 25 minutes, Naxxar Lions had good reason to be optimistic about their chances of handing leaders Hibernians their first defeat of the season... but it proved to be a false dawn for Winston Muscat’s team in the end as they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat to the resilient Paolites.
Hibernians showed great battling qualities in adversity as they turned the tables on Naxxar who absurdly lost their focus after Jonathan Pearson was sent off.
Hibs were then able to put gloss on their triumph with a dazzling display of attacking football that ensured that Branko Nisevic’s first round in charge of Hibernians ended without an upset.
Naxxar keeper Julian Azzopardi was in early action to save from Luis Edison and a few moments later, Thiago Lopes almost committed an own goal when his clearance attempt on a Marcelo Dias effort finished against the Lions’ bar, much to the relief of the Brazilian defender.
In the 14th minute, Edison almost surprised Naxxar as he was able to weave through their defence unchallenged but he shot tamely at Azzopardi.
Naxxar, arguably against the run of play, took the lead on 19 minutes from a counter-attack.
Gilmar broke away and fed Jeremiah Ani on the right. An inviting cross by the Nigerian striker found Duane Bonnici at the far post and he stabbed the ball home after timing his run to perfection.
The Paolites looked dead and buried when Pearson was given his marching orders for a second yellow card in the space of two minutes after a foul on Victor Bellia.
Branko Nisevic ditched his three-man defence and switched to 4-4-1 with Edison deployed as a lone striker.
Hibernians’ depleted numbers were always going to be dangerous for Naxxar though. And so it proved as they drew level before the half-hour mark when Jackson Lima curled the ball low into the bottom corner of the net.
The match shifted decisively towards Hibernians five minutes later when Clayton Failla sent Azzopardi the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Muscat’s players complained loudly and at length over referee Kevin Azzopardi’s decision to award the penalty following Ryan Cassar’s challenge on Edison. However, their complaints were overruled.
Ani did not get the much-needed support in attack as Hibs continued to hold control after the break despite the numerical handicap.
They went close to adding another goal on 53 minutes when Dias burst through on the right wing before serving the unmarked Cohen but he failed to profit and poked a shot straight at the keeper.
It was Nisevic’s men again to carve out the better opening, Bjorn Kristensen drawing a superb stop from Azzopardi on 64 minutes. The Naxxar goalkeeper also denied Edison on the follow-up of Kristensen’s chance as Naxxar were unable to make their extra man count.
Pablo Doffo delivered a warning to his former team that the game was not over yet as he swerved a free-kick that crashed against Muscat’s bar.
Yet, it was the Paolites who finished strongly as they added two more goals to their tally.
First, Cohen crossed low for the darting Edison to hit home at the near post and then substitute Obinna Obiefule headed past Azzopardi from Cohen’s cross to make it 4-1.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, R. Camilleri-6, J. Pearson, R. Soares-6, Jackson Lima-6.5, M. Dias-8, A. Cohen-7, B. Kristensen-5.5, C. Failla-7 (79 M. Bartolo), J.P. Farrugia-6 (70 O. Obiefule-5), L. Edison-7 (90 A. Azzopardi).
Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-7, V. Bellia-5, J. Ani-5 (62 T. Scerri-5), R.G. Cassar-5, Gilmar-5, A. Decesare-5, T. Lopes-5, A. Rocha dos Santos-5.5 (79 O. Zongo), P. Doffo-5, Evaldo-5, D. Bonnici-6 (76 D. Falzon).
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Pearson, Cassar, Decesare, Bonnici, Da Silva, Dias, Lopes, Evaldo.
Red card: Pearson (H) 25.
BOV Player of the match: Marcelo Dias (Hibernians).