FLORIANA 0

HIBERNIANS 1

Degabriele 72

Jurgen Degabriele’s goal put daylight between Hibernians and Floriana as the Paolites registered a narrow victory to regain the BOV Premier League leadership.

Meanwhile, this defeat adds more woes to Floriana who have not won for the third straight game and are now just four points distant from the play-out spot. 

The best chance of the first 45 minutes came onto the feet of newly-signed Jake Grech but from inside the eighteen he sent the ball into Ini Akpan who diverted into corner. 

Moments later, the former Birkirkara had a curling effort which went wide as both teams entered the dressing room 0-0 at half-time.

The early stages of the second half were a bit scrappy, with a lot of fouls across the field that neutralised the offensive departments of both set of teams. 

Past the hour mark, Degabriele had a free-kick from the edge of the area that was deflected into corner.

From the resultant set-piece, Andrei Agius hit a first-timer from a Degabriele’s corner but his effort sailed over the bar.

Hibernians continued to press and on the 69th minute, Grech darted into the box and sent a low-drive but Akpan kept his effort at bay. 

A minute later, Nemanja Radojevic came close to put the Paolites in front with a delightful free-kick that forced Akpan to pull a finger-tip save.

It was a matter of time before Hibernians could break the deadlock and they made their pressure count on minute 72.

Grech sprayed a delightful ball into Degabriele’s path and the Maltese striker sent the ball past Akpan.

Late in the game, Dunstan Vella came close to put the game to bed but his close-range shot was blocked by the Greens’ custodian.