Matches between Hibernians and Birkirkara have always been keenly-contested affairs. Encounters between these two old rivals usually end in a draw. Even in the past, when Birkirkara were not considered among the top guns in Maltese football, they somehow always managed to produce their best against the Paolites.

One example was the second round game of the 1959-60 championship.

That season Hibs were challenging Valletta for the league title.

Birkirkara, on the other hand, were languishing at the bottom of the table. To make matters worse for the Stripes, Hibs had already beaten them 4-1 in the corresponding first round match. It took, therefore, a very brave man to bet his money on Birkirkara.

There was no doubt that Hibs were the better team. In the first half they enjoyed the lion's share of possession. They played on the wings to open up the Stripes' defence but they just could not strike that vital blow.

Ebejer had a good try with a hard grounder but Bugeja saved well. Then Eddie Theobald went near with a couple of shots but once again Bugeja was well-placed to thwart his efforts.

But the best chance of the first half was presented to Hibs by Grech. The Birkirkara full-back nodded the ball back to his goalkeeper without really knowing where his pass was going. In nipped Freddie Church with a firm header but once again Bugeja was on the spot to save.

At this stage, Birkirkara were reeling and it seemed to be only a matter of time before Hibs would score. In those days the Stripes used to rely a lot on their star winger Bonnici (il-Lula). The latter, however, was completely blotted out of the game by Johnnie Privitera. And with their other striker Charlie Chircop well contained by Renzo Coleiro, the Stripes' attack was subdued.

Privitera must have looked upon Bonnici as his long, lost brother. Wherever Bonnici went, there was Privitera. Bonnici tried to lose him by switching positions with Chircop but Privitera promptly changed places with Coleiro.

Then, just before the interval, Birkirkara should have forged ahead.

Theuma directed a perfect through-pass to Chircop. The latter's feint left Privitera standing, and with only Spiteri to beat, he shot straight at the goalkeeper. A little later Chircop once again beat the Hibs' defence but before he could finish he was tripped from behind by Louis Theobald.

It was a clear-cut penalty and the referee, Mr Tulloch of the RAF, did not hesitate to point to the spot.

The Hibs' players surrounded the referee. There was a lot of hustling and pushing. Then, God knows for whatever reason, the referee changed his decision and ordered an indirect free-kick inside the box.

This was, perhaps, one of the biggest blunders I have ever seen in over 50 years of football. No one knows why the referee changed his mind but whatever it was it had serious consequences for Birkirkara.

The episode broke the Stripes' spirits. Two quick goals very early after the start of the second half took away what little life remained in the team from Birkirkara.

The second period had barely started when Eddie Theobald volleyed first time on the half turn a defender's clearance in the top right-hand corner of the net.

A minute later Church tried his luck from an acute angle, but Bugeja dived and saved. However, he failed to hold the ball, leaving Leli Sultana to nip in and plant the ball into an empty net.

With this goal Hibs relaxed. With the points safely in the bag they started to play their usual attractive football but ironically it was Birkirkara who nearly scored. Once again the chance fell to Chircop. The winger ran through the middle with the whole Hibs defence converging on him, only to shoot out when within striking distance.

The final whistle found Hibs still enjoying their two-goal lead. However, it was Tulloch's penalty blunder which gave them the tonic they needed to break down Birkirkara's stubborn resistance.