Mosta 0
Hibernians 1
Failla 13;
Clayton Failla’s early goal propelled Hibs to within a point of pacesetters Valletta and Birkirkara as the Paolites made it three wins on the trot after beating Mosta 1-0, yesterday.
This scoreline might convey the impression of a tight affair but the reality was different. Hibs’ winning margin ought to have been wider but they contrived to miss a host of scoring chances, particularly in the closing stages.
It says all about Mosta’s wretched performance that they hardly had a shot on goal in the second half, even after their opponents had been reduced to 10 men.
After being touted as a solid bet for a top-six slot, Mosta are suddenly looking vulnerable as their second successive defeat left them only one point ahead of Balzan and Tarxien who are joint sixth.
The only change in the Hibs’ starting XI saw Marcelo Dias, back from suspension, replace Jackson Lima, injured. New signing Allan Kardech dos Santos was among the substitutes.
Hibs coach Michael Woods, who began a two-match touchline ban, stuck with 4-1-4-1 with Anderson Ribeiro and Dias, who started on the right wing, receiving instructions to interchange up front.
Mosta coach Steve D’Amato awarded first-team recalls to Danail Mitev and Bryan Agius.
However, Daniel Bogdanovic paid the price for his low-key showing in the 1-0 upset to Birkirkara as he was demoted to the bench.
Six minutes into the game, Mitev was high with a free-kick.
A flowing Mosta move had the Hibs defence on the ropes as Mitev glided past Bjorn Kristensen before passing to Firas Aboulezz whose pass sent Ousseni Zongo clear but the winger made a hash of controlling the ball.
Aboulezz then waltzed his way past a posse of Hibs players before releasing Obinna Obiefule, the central striker in Mosta’s 4-3-3 formation, but the Nigerian’s shot drew a fine save from Mario Muscat.
Hibernians went up at the other end and opened the scoring as Dias strode clear on the right before hitting a cross that eluded the entire Mosta defence and into the path of Failla whose powerful first-timer gave Haber no chance.
Failla’s goal knocked Mosta off their stride but Hibs were unable to build on their early lead.
On 27 minutes, Muscat did well to fist away Mitev’s cross-shot.
At the other end, Andrew Cohen crossed towards the far post but Ryan Camilleri’s volley was deflected away for a corner.
Ref Clayton Pisani incurred the wrath of Hibs when he booked Dias for simulation after the Bra-zilian looked to have been shoved off the ball by Luke Dimech.
Mosta grew increasingly lethargic as the first half wore on but a dazzling run by Zongo produced a half-chance out of the blue as he dallied past two defenders but his cross was cut out by Udo Nwoko.
Yet, it was Hibs who almost extended their lead when Failla’s corner was met by Rodolfo Soares but the Brazilian’s header cannoned off the bar.
The Paolites established a stronghold as the second half wore on.
Two minutes past the hour, Allan Kardech was given his Hibs debut as he came on for Dias.
The constant interruptions, often caused by protesting players or shoving in set-piece situations, did little to quicken the pace of the match.
Suffice to say that the whistle-happy Pisani had booked eight players by the 70th minute.
Mosta were let off the hook when Soares volleyed over from underneath the bar after meeting Cohen’s corner. With less than ten minutes remaining, Cohen veered infield from the left but his piledriver was high.
Hibs looked to be cruising but suffered a blow when Adrian Pulis was red-carded for a second bookable offence.
Still, the Paolites ought to have sealed it when Cohen, Hibs’ best player, supplied a through-ball to Kardech but the latter’s drive was repelled by Haber.
The Mosta goalkeeper kept his team in the game when he came out to block Failla’s effort.
In stoppage time, Haber ran upfield as Mosta were awarded a corner. Hibs cleared, Cohen sent Kardech through but, with the goal completely unguarded, the Brazilian’s grounder rolled wide.
On the cusp of time, Cohen was guilty of a glaring miss as he blasted over after receiving from substitute Johann Bezzina.
Mosta
J. Haber-7, M. Micallef-5, B. Agius-5 (46 F. Apap-4), L. Dimech-5, S. Bezzina-5, C. Campagnoli-5, R. Grech-6, O. Zongo-6, D. Mitev-5 (77 D. Maia), F. Aboulezz-6.5 (80 K. Zammit), O. Obiefule-4.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6.5, R. Camilleri-6.5, A. Pulis, R. Soares-6, Z. Levnaic-6.5, B. Kristensen-7.5, A. Cohen-7.5, U. Nwoko-6.5, A. Ribeiro-5.5 (78 J. Bezzina), C. Failla-7, M. Dias-6.5 (62 Allan Kardech-6).
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Yellow cards: Grech; Kristensen; Zongo; Pulis; Dias; Agius; Camilleri; Dimech; Cohen; Muscat.
Red card: Pulis (H) 83.
BOV player of the match: Clayton Failla (Hibernians).