Seventh successive win for Hibernians — Mosta register first win

Hibernians registered their seventh successive win as they beat nine-man Mqabba 4-1 to move four points clear on top the BOV Premier League table.

Early goals put the Paolites two goals ahead but although Bojan Mamic reduced the gap, his dismissal a few minutes later killed any hopes of the Reds earning a positive result from this game. Hibs in fact, added another two goals with another Mqabba player being sent off.

Douglas Balbinot was missing once again for the Paolites.

Hibernians had an excellent start, taking the lead on the 2nd minute when Edison Luis dos Santos entered the penalty area from the left, serving Clayton Failla who slotted the ball past Kris Calleja.

The Paolites doubled the score on the 10th when Marcelo Dias served Clayton Failla who hit home past Calleja.

Mqabba pulled one back a minute later when Bojan Mamic managed to beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat with a cross shot from the left.

However on the 14th minute, Mqabba received a major setback as Serbian striker Bojan Mamic was given marching orders by referee Clayton Pisani for a foul on Failla.

A direct freekick by Andrew Cohen from the left scraped past the post on 21 minutes.

Seven minutes in the second half, Marcelo Dias concluded a great move on the left flank with a perfect pass for Edison Luis dos Santos who placed the ball at the back of the net from close range to make it 3-1.

Edward Herrera was then unlucky to hit the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the area on 55 minutes. Two minutes later, Tarabai served Marcelo Dias on the right but the latter’s effort was blocked by the Hibs custodian.

Mqabba were reduced to nine men on 77 minutes when Branislav Timotic received a second yellow card by referee Clayton Pisani.

Substitute Peter Chizoba Anizoba sealed the issue with a great rising shot from outside the area which gave goalkeeper Kris Calleja no chance for Hibernians’ fourth goal on the 90th.

Clayton Failla was voted BOV Player of the Match.

HIBS Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Aaron Xuereb, Adrian Pulis, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (65’ Peter Anizoba), Andrew Cohen, Clayton Failla, Edward Herrera (80’ Steve Pisani), Bjorn Kristensen (80’ Jonathan Pearson), Edison Luis Dos Santos.
Subs not used: Luke Bonnici, Ayrton Azzopardi, Triston Caruana, Dylan Sammut.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Richard Mercieca

MQABBA Kris Calleja, Pierre Grima, Marko Potezica, Branislav Timotic, Mark Anthony Psaila, Marlon Briffa, David Azzopardi, Thiago dos Santos Mazzitelli (79’ Rene Duca), Claudio Calleja (66’ John Paul Muscat), Clayton Micallef (56’ Shawn Magro), Bojan Mamic.
Subs not used: Franklin Azzopardi, Mauro Bonnici, Kevin Psaila, Mark Fenech.
Coach: Clive Mizzi
Asst. Coach: Renzo Kerr Cumbo

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Micallef, Potezica, Cohen, Timotic, Psaila, Failla
Red Cards: 14’ Bojan Mamic, 77’ Branislav Timotic
Scorers: 2′ Clayton Failla, 10′ Clayton Failla, 11′ Bojan Mamic, 52′ Edison Luis dos Santos, 90’ Peter Anizoba

After losing six out of the first seven matches, Mosta registered their first win as they beat Sliema Wanderers 3-2. A win which puts Oliver Spiteri’s side on level points with Tarxien Rainbows, who however have a game in hand.

For the Wanderers, this was yet another disappointing result after being held in a draw by Balzan and lost to Hamrun in their last two outings.

Mosta defender Yannick Ossok was ruled out as he was serving a one-match ban. Henry Bonello, Rumen Galabov and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza were missing for Sliema.

The Wanderers held the initiative in the early stages, going close with attempts by Danial Mitev and Jorge Santos Silva which were saved by Jonathan Debono. Mosta replied with two consecutive shots by Michel Bertrand Maki Mvondo – the first blocked by Curmi and the second blocked into a corner by a defender.

Mosta managed to take the lead on 24 minutes thanks to a goal by Firas Aboulezz who received a cross from the left and placed the ball at the back of the net.

Four minutes later, Ian Zammit went close to doubling the score with a diagonal shot from the right which ended just wide.

But on the 29th, Sliema leveled matters when off a cross by Danial Mitev from the right, Jackson Lima headed hoe past goalkeeper Jonathan Bonello.

Two minutes from the end of the first half, Adrian Borg missed a good opportunity hitting high from close range off a Bryan Agius freekick from the left.

Two minutes in added time, Mosta regained the lead when off a cross by Firas Aboulezz, Arislon Mello da Silva advanced into the area before slotting past goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.

Eleven minutes in the second half, Ian Zammit hit the crossbar for Mosta following a corner by Arilson from the left.

But on 59 minutes, Mosta increased the lead when Ian Zammit sent Michel Maki Mvondo through on the right and the latter slotted the ball past Curmi after entering the area.

Jackson Lima Sequeira scored a second goal for the Wanderers on 85 minutes thanks to a long-distance freekick which beat Jonathan Debono.

Ian Zammit was voted BOV Player of the Match.

MOSTA Jonathan Debono, Firas Aboulezz (80′ Alex Cini), Adrian Borg, Luca Martinelli, Federico Tisbi, Bryan Agius, Kurt Magro (35’ Sheldon Grech), Nikola Bogdanovic, Arilson Mello da Silva (88′ Gilbert Martin), Ian Zammit, Michel Bertrand Maki Mvondo.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Kane Farrugia, John Paul Grima, Jonathan Bajada.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri
Asst. Coach: Ramon Zammit

SLIEMA Tony Curmi, Alex Muscat (68’ Ryan Grech), Josef Mifsud, Mark Scerri, Danial Mitev, Steve Bezzina, Jackson Lima Sequeira, Jeremiah Ani, Roderick Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva, Cleavon Frendo (56’ Clifford Gatt Baldacchino).
Subs not used: Keane Cutajar, Julian Briffa, Ryan Dalli, Andrew Caligari, Beppe Muscat.
Coach: Danilo Doncic
Asst. Coach: Saviour Debono Grech

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Edward Spiteri
Fourth official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Bezzina, Mitev, Debono, I. Zammit, Arilson, Mifsud
Scorers: 24’ Firas Aboulezz, 28’ Jackson Lima, 45+2’ Arilson Mello da Silva, 59’ Michel Bertrand Maki Mvondo, 85′ Jackson Lima Sequeira
Attendance: 738