[attach id=242030 size="medium"]Mosta goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia intercepts a cross in the penalty area. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier[/attach]

Mosta 1
Apap 8;
Hibernians 3
Failla 45 pen; Tarabai 73, 81;

A third defeat on the trot could have seriously dented Hibernians’ chances of challenging for the league crown but Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ came to the Paolites’ rescue yesterday with a late second-half double to keep his side on track.

The Brazilian was the main protagonist as his goals provided the right tonic for Michael Woods’s team to return to winning ways following two damaging defeats against Birkirkara and Sliema.

Tarabai’s performance vindicated the club’s decision to sign him in mid-season as the striker, who was sidelined with injury, seems to have found his scoring touch at this crucial time of the season.

With Mosta having taken only three points from their last seven matches, Hibs were expected to coast to an easy victory.

At first glance, the scoreline might indicate that but in reality, although the Paolites were worthy winners, Mosta defied the odds with a good performance that made life difficult for the favourite team.

The Hibs coach had no option but to reshuffle his pack as suspension deprived him of Marcelo Dias and Jackson Lima while Adrian Pulis and Jonathan Pearson were injured.

Defender Ryan Camilleri was back after serving a one-match ban while Tarabai was drafted into the starting formation for the first time since his return to the Premier League in January.

The upset to Sliema set the alarm bells ringing at Paola and Woods boldly ditched his conservative 4-1-4-1 module, switching to an offensive 3-4-3 configuration.

Andrew Cohen was employed in a central midfield position and Allan Kardech formed part of a three-pronged attack along with Tarabai and Jean Paul Farrugia.

Still licking their wounds after a 7-1 drubbing to Birkirkara, Mosta coach Danilo Doncic effected a number of changes to his starting XI yesterday.

With Ferdinando Apap and Tyrone Farrugia at centre-half, and Manolito Micallef and Byran Agius policing the flanks, the Blues looked a sure bet not to leak goals.

Mosta kept composure and took a shock lead after eight minutes. Danail Mitev swung in a corner and the unmarked Apap guided a downward header past Mario Muscat.

The Paolites failed to heed the alarm signals and almost conceded a second goal from a similar set-piece eight minutes later. Fabio Vignaroli’s delivery, this time from a left-wing corner, had Micallef’s header taking a deflection on its way out.

Hibs’ first real sight of Mosta’s goal came after 23 minutes when Tarabai flashed a volley just wide.

Eight minutes later, Cohen floated a cross from the left. Farrugia headed the ball into the path of Kardech who flashed in with a thundering drive that was repelled by Tyrone Farrugia’s outstretched leg.

At the other end, Jonathan Bajada supplied a low cross to Bruno Chikwado Mbonu. The Nigerian striker did well to turn past Keith Tanti but his shot finished inside the side-netting.

Somewhat surprisingly, as it came against the run of play, the Paolites drew level just before the break.

Failla burst past Bajada on the flank and assessed his options before slipping a perfect through-ball to Cohen who turned well in the box only to be felled by Jeffrey Farrugia. The referee pointed to the spot and Failla drilled his shot past the diving Mosta keeper.

Hibernians sought to take the game to Mosta in the second half. In the 68th minute, Rodolfo Soares, a subdued figure so far, could have put his team ahead when a free-kick taken by Cohen reached the Brazilian defender but Farrugia dived full stretch to parry the shot. The ball fell at the feet of Bjorn Kristensen who shot badly from a good position.

Five minutes later, the frustrated Paola fans were cheering for the right reasons as their team moved in front. Kristensen produced a perfect through-pass to Tarabai who beat the Mosta offside trap before stabbing home from point-blank distance.

Kristensen and Tarabai combined perfectly again as the Brazilian scored a second goal in the space of nine minutes. Making a quick transition from defence to attack, the Malta U-21 midfielder delivered a long pass for Tarabai who hit home with a delicate lob over Farrugia.

Mosta
J. Farrugia-6.5, F. Apap-7, T. Farrugia-7, K. Zammit-5.5, B. Agius-6.5, M. Micallef-6.5, J. Bajada-5.5 (71 A. Cini-4), D. Mitev-5, F. Vignaroli-5, B. Chikwado Mbonu-5, U. Okoro-5 (39 S. Kehinde-4, 82 C. Campagnoli).

Hibernians
M. Muscat-5.5, R. Camilleri-6, R. Soares-5.5, A. Cohen-6.5, B. Kristensen-8, C. Failla-7, J. Bezzina-6, A. Kardeck-6, L. Edison-7.5, K. Tanti-5, J.P. Farrugia-5.5 (66 A. Azzopardi-5).

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Vignaroli; J. Farrugia.

Attendance: 229.

BOV player of the match: Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians).