Hibernians 3
Barbara 3, 35, 79
Marsaxlokk 1
Deanov 15
Etienne Barbara immediately left his mark on new club Hibernians when he marked his debut with an excellent hat-trick to lead the Malta champions to a merited win over Marsaxlokk in their first league showing of the season.
The former Malta forward struck two of his goals during the first half to help his team overcome the stiff challenge of Marsaxlokk. His contribution will certainly lift the spirits of coach Mark Miller who had been working intensely to find an adequate replacement for Terrence Scerri, now gunning for Valletta.
Apart from Barbara's contribution, Miller will have been delighted with the positive response of his players who put behind them their poor performance in the Super Cup final against Sliema last week with a polished display based on solid defending and quick attacking play. Surely, this showing will augur well for their ambitions to retain the title at the end of the season.
Miller had Aaron Xuereb and Jean Paul Farrugia still recovering from injuries but Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi had no such problems and included all five close-season signings in his starting formation - goalkeeper Glenn Zammit, Emil Yanchev, Martin Deanov, Florent Raimy and Roderick Bajada.
The match was off to a lively start and inside the opening minute Marsaxlokk went close when William Camenzuli's fierce shot from the distance was tipped over by Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat.
The Southerners threatened again a minute later when Deanov's drive from an angle just missed the target.
Hibs responded in style and hit the jackpot in their first attempt at goal.
Andrew Cohen controlled a long clearance from his defence and quickly tapped the ball towards the steaming Barbara who burst through before placing the ball beyond Zammit's reach.
Marsaxlokk's response duly arrived and on 15 minutes they deservedly drew level.
It was again the active Deanov who raced clear on the left before firing a rasping shot that gave Muscat no chance.
The match maintained those high levels and seven minutes later the Paolites almost regained the lead when Adrian Pulis sent an inviting cross to the far post where Rumen Galabov nodded towards Cohen whose overhead kick finished just over.
Hibs stepped up the tempo towards the end of the half and on 35 minutes they regained the lead. Ben Camilleri slid the ball towards Barbara and the former SC Verle forward buried the ball home despite Zammit's desperate attempt to avoid the goal.
Barbara almost struck again two minutes later when he was well picked by Pulis on the left but his grounder flashed wide.
Two minutes from the break Zammit was forced to dive full stretch to push away Callejas's free-kick.
On resumption, Marsaxlokk started to see more of the ball with the Paolites waiting patiently before hitting with fast breaks mainly launched by Barbara.
On 56 minutes, Deanov raced clear on the left wing before delivering the ball into the path of Camenzuli but the Marsaxlokk defender was denied by a timely clearance from Jonathan Pearson who cleared to a corner.
Nine minutes later, Deanov threatened again but his stinging drive finished just over Muscat's goal.
At the other end, Galabov went close for Hibs but his effort was blocked by the alert Zammit in the Marsaxlokk goal.
However, any hopes Marsaxlokk had of coming back into the match were all but dashed 11 minutes from time when Cohen slid a perfect pass into the path of Barbara who was quick to fire past Zammit to complete his hat-trick.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, J. Caruana-6.5, E. Herrera-6, A. Pulis-6, R. Camilleri-6 ('46 E. Cauchi-5.5), J. Pearson-6.5, C. Callejas-7, E. Barbara-8, A. Cohen-7.5, R. Galabov-6.5, B. Camilleri-6 ('64 T. Caruana 5.5).
Marsaxlokk
G. Zammit-5, W. Camenzuli-6, C. Brincat-5.5, M. Deanov-6.5, C. Mamo-6, P. Pullicino-6, G. Sciberras-6.5 ('76 C. Camilleri), R. Bajada-6.5 ('67 T. Templeman-5.5), E. Yanchev-5, F. Raimy-6, M. Licari-5.5 ('57 D. Kokavessis-5).
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Yellow cards: Cohen, Camenzuli, Brincat.
BoV Player of the Match: Etienne Barbara (Hibernians).