HIBERNIANS 3
Failla 41 pen, Kristensen 58, Degabriele 84

MOSTA 1
Priso 90 pen

Hibernians had to draw on their reserves of energy and resilience to battle past Mosta. The 3-1 scoreline might convey the impression that the Paolites had a hassle-free outing but it was an open game before Clayton Failla broke the deadlock from the spot.

After their slow start to the season, Hibernians and their new manager Mark Miller are gaining momentum, and they produced the better stuff and fashioned the better chances after the break.

After 21 minutes, Bjorn Kristensen had little luck when his lob drifted inches past the upright.

Hibernians were now dictating the tempo of the game, Clayton Failla tested Emmanuel Bartolo’s alertness with a central drive which the former Valletta goalkeeper saved with difficulty. Past the half hour mark, Joseph Mbong strode into the box before cutting past Francis Onwudinjo who brought down the young Hibs winger. Referee Stefan Pace immediately pointed to the spot and Failla kept a cool head to hammer

Past the half hour mark, Joseph Mbong strode into the box before cutting past Francis Onwudinjo, who brought down the young Hibs winger. Referee Stefan Pace immediately pointed to the spot and Failla kept a cool head to hammer past Bartolo.

There was some doubt about the defender’s tackle on Mbong inside the area, an incident which had Mosta protesting vehemently with the referee.

On the change of ends, Mosta ventured forward in search of the equaliser but Hibs scored their second goal to give their opponents a cold shower. Just shy of the hour mark, Bjorn Kristensen stunned the Mosta defence with a timely run into the box to hit the ball home from Failla’s measured free-kick.

Mosta did try for a consolation goal and they nearly accomplished their mission with a fine effort in the 73rd minute. Edin Murga created an excellent move, outpacing Jackson Lima before trying his luck with a swerving shot which was deflected to a corner.

Then, a combination of a mistake by Dany Djoufack and Jurgen Degabriele’s persistence resulted in Hibernians third goal, four minutes from time.

Djoufack, Mosta’s defender, looked well-place to head clear but somehow lost balance and sliced the ball backwards, leaving the way clear for the persevering Degabriele to beat Bartolo with a perfect lob.

Mosta grabbed a consolation goal when Njongo Doding Priso denied Andrew Hogg a clean sheet from the spot after Marcelo Dias hauled substitute Antoine Borg down in the box.