Hibernians 3 Tarxien R 1
Hibernians ended their worst sequence of results against Tarxien and eased the pressure on Mark Miller in the most satisfying manner possible as the Rainbows were deservedly beaten at the Corradino Stadium.
The Paolities, who had lost their last four games against their fierce rivals, looked lively from the outset with Paul McManus and Andrew Cohen proving a constant to a shaky Tarxien rearguard.
Although Miller’s team had the better of the early possession, it was the ‘visitors’ who did more with the ball when they had it and the first meaningful chance fell to Cristiano. His shot on the 23rd minute drew a good full-stretch from Muscat.
The Brazilian was a constant threat, and with the Rainbows having clearly identified the left-hand side of Hibernians’ defence as a weakness, he was regularly in the thick of the action.
Few moments later, his ferocious drive smacked against the underside crossbar but the ball landed on Gianluca Calabretta’s feet but he shot feebly with an open goal at his mercy as Ryan Camilleri cleared the danger.
Gradually, however – and despite some impressive moments from Cristiano – the first-half momentum began to change hands.
Edward Herrera fired in a cross from the right which was allowed to go all the way across the box to McManus, only to see the Scotsman failing to connect properly.
With the game now finely balanced, Richie Hart’s drive hit the foot of the post with a spectacular swerving shot after 35 minutes.
After a tepid first half, the second period began in blistering fashion with the Paolities scoring twice in five minutes.
With four minutes of the second half gone, Andrew Cohen broke the deadlock with a delicate lob over David Cassar after a pinpoint pass from Mc Manus from the left flank.
It proved the cue for a period of implosion from Tarxien who fell two behind on the 54th minute, when Hart’s pile driver rebounded off the bar and eventually fell at the feet of Herrera who fired in a rising shot from the edge of the box.
That quick double blow clearly hurt Bueno who got involved in a scuffle with Xuereb after the goal, to compound matters for Tarxien, leaving his side playing with a numerical disadvantage for more than half an hour.
The full significance of Bueno’s mistake only emerged four minutes from time when Mark Tanti tried his luck from just outside the area, shooting hard towards the near post but although Mario Muscat looked to have it covered, he let it slip through his grasp and Cristiano was on hand to head home.
However, fears of a nervous finale for Hibernians were quickly dispelled when Brian Fairburn restored the two-goal cushion to ease Hibernians’ nerves as he dazzled around the Rainbows defence before beating Cassar with perfect weighted shot.