NAXXAR 0
HIBERNIANS 3
Hibernians put a glossy seal on a late show to end Naxxar Lions’ challenge to capture the final spot in the Championship pool this afternoon.
Obinna Obiefule was Hibernians’ hero, the Nigerian striker scoring a brace that knocked the stuffing out of a cagey Naxxar team who paid the price for an appalling decline that saw them gain zero points from their last four matches.
Hibernians attacked straight from the kick-off and Obinna Obiefule, totally unmarked after brusting through the midfield, surged into the box but his shot was kept out by the onrushing Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar goalkeeper.
Four minutes into the game, Bezzina dispossessed Ryan Cassar on the wing and sped through, his cross flew over to the far post where Luis Edison came close with a dipping header that nestled on the roof of the net.
Shy the quarter of hour mark, the Naxxar defence was caught out again by another swift Hibernians counter-attack as Scott Chircop’s perflectly-flighted pass from midfield invited Degabriele to run through. Azzopardi dashed out of his goal but the nippy midfielder rounded the goalkeeper only to slip as he planted his standing foot ready to shot.
Naxxar settled as the first half progressed. In the 37th minute, Bakare sped clear through midfield but his long-range strike went straight into Jurgen Borg’s hands. Just before half-time, danger loomed for the Paolites when Scerri embarked on good run down the left but his angled effort was well-saved by Borg.
Naxxar started the second half in a brisk mode, yet they failed to translate their superiority into clearcut chances. Shy the hour mark, Degabriele robbed Thiago possession in midfield and found Edison wide on the left. The Brazilian cut the ball back to avoid the return of defender but Azzopardi palmed his effort away.
Three minutes later, Naxxar survived another scare when Obiefule unleashed a powerful drive just inside the box but Azzopardi pawed away his shot. This was the cue for Nisevic to make his first substitution throwing on Andrew Cohen after a long lay-off. Cohen far from his best but still made positive impact. Naxxar defender Cassar was continuously being caught up outnumbered on the left flank and it seemed only a matter of time before he could buckle. After 79 minutes, Cohen drove infield from the right channel before sending in a cross which invited Obiefule to dive in and head home.
Four minutes from time, Bezzina sent substitute Milan Vignjevic crashing to the ground to end his first venture towards the Hibs penalty area. With the consequence that Hibernians midfielder was given the marching orders for a second bookable offence. But Naxxar seemed down and out to stage a reaction.
In the 90th minute, running to a teasing ball from Timothy Tabone Desira, Obiefule veered to his right to evade the onrushing Azzopardi before slotting the ball over the line. Few moments later, Degabriele made it 3-0 from a Cohen through-ball before he sped through, rounded Azzopardi and deposited the ball into an empty net.