Hibernians 1
Micallef 54 og;
Vittoriosa Stars 2
Ewurum 69; Edison 71 pen;
Hibernians’ flickering hopes of forcing their way back into the race for a top-six berth suffered a potentially deadly blow yesterday when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to bottom-placed Vittoriosa Stars who completed a double of wins over the Paolites.
Looking to build on their 4-2 victory over Ħamrun Spartans, Hibs looked well on course to make it two wins in a row when they forged ahead early in the second half courtesy of an own goal by Clayton Micallef.
However, Mark Miller’s team inexplicably lost the plot midway through the second half. Vittoriosa hit two quickfire goals through Anthony Ewurum and a penalty from man-of-the-match Edison to turn the game in their favour, leaving their stunned opponents languishing a place off bottom, seven points adrift of the sixth-placed Ħamrun Spartans.
For Vittoriosa, yesterday’s win, only their second of the season, will strengthen optimism about their survival chances. Coach Winston Muscat will have been impressed with the bold fightback produced by his team who showed that their 3-0 dismissal of Marsaxlokk in their FA Trophy second round match last Wednesday was not a flash in the pan.
Hibs coach Miller recovered towering defender Matt Clarke who shrugged off a sore knee but Triston Caruana was still sidelined with injury. New signing Patrick Osei was not in the Hibs squad as the club are still awaiting his international transfer certificate.
Defenders Jeffrey Chetcuti and Steve Wellman and striker Edison returned from suspension to boost Vittoriosa Stars while Alan Tabone, signed on loan from Birkirkara on Friday, was among the substitutes.
The ‘home’ side made the early running. The clock marked seven minutes when Hibs’ Edward Herrera forced his way past two defenders but his shot was blocked by the onrushing Simon Agius, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper.
The mobility of Andrew Cohen in the final third of the pitch was giving Vittoriosa problems. On 20 minutes, the nippy Hibs forward showed great footwork to sweep past his marker before firing a low drive that rolled just past the upright.
Four minutes later, Cohen was dangerous again when he ran past Micallef before sending a teasing cross towards Paul McManus who just failed to make contact with the ball when under pressure from Chetcuti.
At the other end, Leighton Grech should have given Vittoriosa the lead when the on-loan Hibs winger was put through on goal but his shot was blocked by Mario Muscat.
Grech had another fine opportunity on 29 minutes when he burst through the Hibs defence but his low shot was kept out by Muscat.
On 33 minutes, Edison and Jorge combined well with the latter sending a dangerous cross-shot that was promptly cleared by the alert Clarke.
Three minutes from the break, Vittoriosa protested for a penalty when Matthew Gauci seemed to have controlled the ball in the area with the aid of his arm but referee Adrian Azzopardi was unmoved.
Hibernians began the second half with more verve. It took them only nine minutes to take the lead when Vittoriosa’s Micallef inadvertently headed the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a Cohen free-kick.
Vittoriosa tried to stage an immediate reaction. A minute past the hour, Jorge’s volley flew just over the bar.
Two minutes later, Cohen should have wrapped up the points for Hibs. McManus was the provider as he nodded the ball towards Cohen whose body feint left his marker grounded but the Hibs livewire fired wide with only Agius to beat.
At the other end, Edison quickly released Jorge whose firm drive was pushed away for a corner by Muscat.
Vittoriosa’s pressure paid off on 69 minutes when Edison ghosted past two defenders before teeing up Ewurum who displayed great composure as he chipped the ball over the advancing Muscat.
Ewurum’s goal turned the game on its head and two minutes later, Edison stormed into the area where he was upended by Jonathan Pearson. Azzopardi quickly pointed to the spot and Edison drilled his shot past Muscat.
Eleven minutes from time, Miller roped in striker Jean Paul Farrugia for flank defender Gauci in a bid to add more firepower to his team’s attack.
Vittoriosa’s Tabone, who had earlier replaced Grech, threatened on 81 minutes but his dipping free-kick was palmed away by Muscat.
With six minutes remaining, Cohen almost grabbed a spectacular equaliser but his rising shot from just outside the area skimmed past the upright.
In time added-on, Agius preserved Vittoriosa’s lead and win with an excellent diving save to stop Cohen’s free-kick.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6.5, M. Gauci-6 (79 J.P. Farrugia), R. Camilleri-6, M. Clarke-6 (90 M. Tabone), J. Pearson-6, R. Hart-5.5, S. Pisani-6 (81 A. Pulis), B. Kristensen-6, E. Herrera-6, P. McManus-5.5, A. Cohen-6.5.
Vittoriosa Stars
S. Agius-6.5, C. Micallef-5.5, M. Maccari-6, K. Sammut-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6.5, Edison-8 (90 J. Xerri), R. Grech-7, Jorge-6.5, A. Ewurum-7.5, S. Wellman-7, L. Grech-7 (76 A. Tabone).
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Gauci; Camilleri; Edison.
BOV player of the match: Edison (Vittoriosa Stars).