GŻIRA UNITED          3

Radojevic 9og

Samb 30

Barbosa 66

HIBERNIANS             2

Fonseca 28, 69

Gżira United beat Hibernians by the odd goal in five to go one point clear at the top of the Premier League standings.

The Maroon’s kick-start came in somewhat lucky circumstances after nine minutes.

In a quick break, Edison Zarate directed a through-ball to Samb who was too quick for his marker. The Senegalese striker surged into the box unleashing a low drive onto the foot of the post, the ball hit the unlucky Nemanja Radojevic before rolling into the net.

Hibernians, however, managed to draw level shy the half hour mark.

Isaac Ntow sent a through ball towards Tiago Fonesca on the left. Gżira defender Rodolfo Soares made a hash of his attempt to cut out the throughball as the ball fell to the Brazilian striker who beat Justin Haber on his near post.

But there was barely time for celebrations as Hibernians were in for another shock a minute later.

Jurgen Degarbriele went down after a midfield tussle for the ball with Juan Corbalan, just in front of Hibernians’ bench.

The referee waved play on as Samb run through from a suspected offside position to dink past Hibs goalkeeper Andrew Hogg. The Hibs coach, Stefano Sanderra, protested vehemently and was dismissed.

Hibernians found themselves facing a two-goal deficit. Fernando Pereira Barbosa ran inside the goal area to meet an inch-perfect cross from Corbalan before seeing his effort diverted into the net by Hibs goalkeeper Hogg.

Nicolas Marcolino, who replaced Ivan Blazevic, made an instant impact when the Brazilian winger powered his way into the Gżira area before setting up Fonesca for the easiest of tasks to tap the ball home to set up a tense finale.

Despite that goal, Gżira’s confidence looked good enough to keep their opponents at bay despite a late chance for Joseph Mbong. The Malta winger, however shot high over Justin Haber’s goal.

Amadou Samb was voted the BOV player of the match.