TARXIEN RAINBOWS-1, HIBERNIANS-2
Hibs reclaimed second place in the BOV Premier League after beating neighbours Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 in today’s second match.
After taking an early two-goal lead, Hibs looked to be cruising towards an easy win but a string of fine saves from David Cassar kept Tarxien in the game.
The relegation-haunted Rainbows gained a lifeline when Jimmy Mayasi converted a late penalty but their final efforts failed to yield an equaliser as Hibs emerged deserved winners.
After only five minutes, Hibs defender Jonathan Pearson’s long-range drive was deflected away for a corner.
Tarxien had a good chance to diverted go ahead when Caio’s corner from the right was into the path of Jimmy Mayasi but his tame strike was blocked.
It was Hibs who broke the deadlock on 10 minutes. Tarxien conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul on the surging Tarabai and Andrew Cohen’s curling effort from the ensuing set-piece had the better of David Cassar, the Tarxien goalkeeper.
Tarabai threatened to increase his side’s advantage but his diagonal effort just missed the far post.
With the Rainbows lacking creativity and inspiration, the superior Hibs duly capitalised to make it 2-0. Peter Anizoba headed home at the far post from Marcelo Dias’s cross.
Tarabai then produced another diagonal run from the left but fired just wide of the near post. On another occasion, the Brazilian jinked his way into the box but his attempt was blocked.
On the half-hour, Hibs had the ball in the net once again but Anizoba’s header was ruled out after Rodolfo Soares, who may have applied the final touch, was caught offside.
Mayasi had the chance to drag Tarxien back into contention as Caio’s corner from the left found the Congo-born striker unmarked but his badly-hit volley was repelled by Hibs.
In first-half stoppage time, Dias put in a cross from the right but Tarabai’s central header was saved by Cassar. Clayton Failla then hit wide from inside the box after being set up by the silky Tarabai.
Tarxien tried to hit back at the start of the second half but it was Hibs who threatened to widen their margin. Cassar made a reflex save to fist the ball over the bar after Soares appeared to have directed Cohen’s free-kick towards goal.
From the resultant corner, taken by Failla, Cohen headed goalwards but Cassar produced another fine save.
Failla’s excellent delivery from set-pieces was causing all sorts of problems to Tarxien. Another teasing corner from the Malta winger was met Bjorn Kristensen who headed firmly but Cassar managed to push the ball away for a corner.
Hibs continued to dominate but they received an eye-opener when, with 14 minutes remaining, Pearson fouled the advancing Karl Pulo inside the box. Referee Kevin Azzopardi awarded Tarxien a penalty and Mayasi drilled his shot past Mario Muscat to pull one back for the Rainbows.
Seven minutes from time, Cassar used his feet to repel a dangerous free-kick from Jackson Lima who was given his debut by Mark Miller as a second-half substitute.
Tarxien came close to an equaliser on the stroke of time when substitute Adrian Carabott ran clear on the left and his centre was pulled back for Warren Zerafa, another substitute, but the latter’s low strike was saved by Muscat.
At the other end, Steve Pisani just missed Tarabai’s cross and Cohen’s follow-up shot was deflected away for a corner.
Deep into stoppage time, Everton headed wide from Carabott’s corner.
Hibs playmaker Cohen was voted BOV player of the match.