Hibernians 2
McManus 38; Pulis 80;
Vittoriosa Stars 1
Edison 64;
Hibs must have been relieved to have beaten Vittoriosa at the third time of asking this season and open a five-point cushion over their fellow Relegation Pool strugglers.
Yet, that outcome looked highly unlikely as with 30 minutes re-maining Hibs were reduced to 10 men. The Stars soon drew level and took their game into the Paolites’ territory before Adrian Pulis struck the winner.
Winston Muscat effected three changes to Vittoriosa’s line-up for this crucial encounter. Anthony Ewurum, Alan Tabone and Clayton Micallef were named as substitutes and the returning Carlos Campagnoli was deployed as an attacking midfielder.
Young Jean Vella was again given the onus to guard goal as Simon Agius missed out on selection still recovering from injury. Leighton Grech was suspended.
Mark Miller promised sweeping changes following the debacle against Sliema and the Hibernians coach was true to his word as he fielded a revamped side with four changes including new recruit Abdelilah Taki.
Matthew Gauci, Matthew Tabone and Brian Fairbairn were dropped to the bench while Steve Pisani was out of the squad.
Paul McManus was given the nod to partner Andrew Cohen in attack.
Edward Herrera gave Justin Camilleri a torrid time all game on the right as Stars skipper Jeffrey Chetcuti often pushed on that flank for extra cover. Vittoriosa were lucky to escape danger inside the first two minutes, Herrera’s cross-cum-shot was held by Vella.
Vittoriosa were again chasing shadows when Herrera drew his man but his angled drive flew across the face of goal.
Vittoriosa did manage to create some tense moments for Hibernians but Luis Edison blazed his shot off target following some good footwork by Jorge Santos Silva.
The Brazilians combined perfectly on 26 minutes. Santos Silva ran to an exquisite service from Edison but with Campagnoli screaming for the ball to be played inside the box, Santos Silva went alone and fired wide.
Just past the half hour, Karl Sammut delivered a teasing cross but Chetcuti was a whisker too late to make contact.
From the possibility of going a goal up, the Stars were shocked to find themselves a goal down seven minutes from the interval. Stephen Wellman conceded a penalty after shackling the advancing McManus who picked himself up to drive the spot-kick past Vella.
Muscat, perhaps still livid over the penalty decision, made his feelings known to referee Alan Mario Sant at the end of the first half and was ordered off the bench.
Five minutes into the second half, Santos Silva floated in an inviting ball from a corner and Murilo Maccari darted in with a flying header which went over the bar.
The Stars kept up the rhythm and Campagnoli unleashed a drive over the bar. Panic may have induced Miller to sacrifice McManus for Fairbairn.
Driven on by Santos Silva’s prowess, Vittoriosa continued to tear into Hibs. Their growing pressure should have yielded an equaliser when Santos Silva’s cross fell invitingly to Edison but he tried to beat Muscat at the far post, narrowly missing the target.
Things looked brighter for the Stars when the referee brandished the red card to Fairbairn for unsporting behaviour.
Vittoriosa cashed in immediately when Edison found enough space to unleash a low shot past Muscat.
The Paolites could have been muted to death following that double killer blow, yet the team showed character when 10 minutes from time, Cohen’s cross was met by the leaping Pulis who headed home.
In the dying minutes, Maccari connected to a cross by Campagnoli but headed straight into Muscat’s hands. It was the last act of a match which ended miserably for the Stars.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, E. Herrera-7, A. Pulis-6.5, A. Xuereb-6, J. Pearson-6, R. Hart-5, P. Osei-5, P. McManus-6 (52 B. Fairbairn), A. Cohen-6, R. Camilleri-5 (70 B. Kristensen-5), A. Taki-5 (85 T. Caruana).
Vittoriosa Stars
J. Vella-6, P. Aquilina-5 (46 C. Micallef-5), J. Chetcuti-5, S. Wellman-4, J. Camilleri-4, R. Grech-5, M. Maccari-6, C. Campagnoli-6, K. Sammut-6 (83 A. Tabone), J. Santos Silva-6 (75 A. Ewurum), L. Edison-6.5.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Pulis, Osei, Sammut, Hart, Pearson, Ewurum.
Red card: Fairbairn (H) 60.
BOV player of the match: Edward Herrera (Hibernians).