Hibernians 2
Cohen 10; Lima 41;
Mosta 1
Obiefule 23;

Hibernians kept up the pressure on leaders Valletta after a hard-fought victory over a battling Mosta side at the ground in Corradino, yesterday.

It was far from a vintage performance for the Paolites who only succeeded in taking all spoils from this match due to their superior experience and, more importantly, their cutting edge in front of goal.

But, in football it’s victories that count and the three points won have now propelled the Paolites to just one point behind leaders Valletta who play Birkirkara this afternoon (see preview Page 93).

For Mosta, this upset was their first in 2012 but despite the negative outcome they still should feel encouraged with their display against one of the strongest sides in the cham-pionship.

In fact, the Blues, though having a number of regular players missing, produced a stirring display but looked to lack the decisive touch in the final third which in the end cost them the match.

Hibs coach Mark Miller effected two changes to the team that beat Qormi 2-0 last week as Steve Pisani replaced the suspended Clayton Failla while Aaron Xuereb returned to the starting formation as Peter Anizoba had to settle for a place on the bench.

Steve D’Amato, the Mosta mentor, was forced to reshuffle his pack due to a spate of injuries and suspensions.

Adrian Borg and Federico Tisbi were both serving a one-match ban while Terrence Vella, Florent Raimy, Kurt Grima and Ian Zammit were all nursing injuries.

Serbian midfielder Predrag Mirceta was handed his full debut after joining Mosta during last month’s transfer window as Sheldon Grech, Gilbert Martin, Luca Martinelli, Alex Cini and Zakaria Zibona were all recalled to the starting line-up.

Hibs were soon on the offensive and after only three minutes Luis Edison raced clear on the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Jackson Lima who fired over with the Mosta goal at his mercy.

Mosta responded four minutes later when Martin adjusted his swerve to hit a fine half-volley but his effort was blocked by an alert Jason Vandelanoite.

The stalemate was broken on 10 minutes when Edward Herrera created some space for himself on the right before sending an inviting cross toward Andrew Cohen whose superb dipping header flew into the net.

As the minutes ticked by, Mosta came more into the picture and it was no surprise that on 23 minutes they drew the scores level.

Grech picked Zibona on the right flank and the Tanzania striker curled a ball inside the area where the prolific Obiefule headed past goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

The goal rattled the Paolites and a minute later they breathed a sigh of relief when Martin dashed inside their box and fell to the floor under the challenge of Vandelanoite. Referee Mario Apap saw nothing untoward though.

Hibs looked struggling to regain control of the proceedings and were desperate for a moment of brilliance from one of their key players to turn the match in their favour.

Edison answered their plea four minutes from the break as the nippy Brazilian slalomed his way past two Mosta defenders before setting up the sprinting Lima who unleashed a powerful drive into the roof of the net.

After the restart, the match was evenly balanced with the Paolites looking to administer their advantage while at the other end Mosta were continuing to push more men forward in search of an equaliser.

Hibs created the first real chance of the second half when Edison raced past his marker but his piledriver flew over.

Three minutes later, Mosta thought they had made it two-all when Jonathan Bajada raced through before releasing Martin who fired the ball past Muscat.

However, the ‘goal’ was an-nulled for offside.

Twenty minutes from time both Hibs and Mosta effected an attacking substitution as D’Amato withdrew the tiring Martin and roped in Terrence Vella while the Paolites replaced Edison with Marcelo Diaz.

On 73 minutes, Mosta’s Mirceta tried his luck from the distance but his firm drive flew just wide.

Three minutes later, Herrera put Pisani clean through but the Hibs youngster was anticipated by the onrushing Mosta goalkeeper Jonathan Debono.

Five minutes from time, Debono kept his side in the game when he flew to his left to push away Bjorn Kristensen’s piledriver.

Time was running out for Mosta, who never stopped trying, as Hibs looked to preserve possession much to the frustration of their opponents.

The final whistle found the Paolites chalking up three priceless points that keeps them well placed in this year’s title race.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, E. Herrera-7, J. Pearson-6, A. Xuereb-6, R. Soares-7, A. Cohen-7.5, B. Kristensen-6, S. Pisani-6, J. Lima-6.5, J. Vandelanoite-6, L. Edison-6 (70 M. Diaz-5).

Mosta
J. Debono-6.5, K. Farrugia-5, L. Martinelli-6, Y. Ossok-7, S. Grech-6, A. Cini-6, J. Bajada-7, P. Mirceta-6, G. Martin-6.5 (70 T. Vella-5), Z. Kibona-6, O. Obiefule-7.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Farrugia, Mirceta, Pearson, Martinelli.

BOV Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians).