Hibernians back to winning ways

Hibernians returned to winning ways as they defeated Mosta 3-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Friday. A win which put the Paolites in second place on the ten-point mark along with Valletta who however have a game in hand.

Mosta, who were coming from a win over Tarxien in their last outing, gave a very good account of themselves and threatened to equalise on several occasions when they were still one goal down.

Coach Mark Miller was forced to make some changes due to the absence of Rui da Gracia Gomes and Marcelo Dias who were both suspended.

Hibs managed to take the lead on the 23rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ivan Maric brought Jorge Elias down inside the area and front he penalty spot, Clayton Failla converted.

The Paolites doubled the score on the 76th minute thanks to a Marco Sahanek free kick, deflected by Jorge Elias dos Santos, which beat goalkeeper Andreas Vella

Substitute Dunstan Vella sealed the issue with a third goal three minutes from time when he concluded a solo effort by rounding the goalkeeper and depositing the ball inside the empty net.

One minute from time, Tyrone Farrugia was sent off for Mosta as he received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Sahanek.

HIBS Andrew Hogg, Martin Kruezriegler, Joseph Mbong, Jackson de Lima Siqueira (77’ Dunstan Vella), Rodolfo Soares, Clayton Failla (88’ Timothy Tabone Desira), Jurgen Degabriele (67’Johann Bezzina), Bjorn Kristensen, Jorge Elias dos Santos, Andrei Agius, Marco Sahanek.
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Daniel Buckle, Conner Zammit, David Xuereb.
Coach: Mark Miller

MOSTA Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira, Tyrone Farrugia, Thomas Veronese, Ivan Maric, David Ifeanyi Nworah, Zac Brincat (57’ Godwin Blessing Henshaw), Dexter Xuereb (78’ Liam Portelli), Edison Bilbao Zarate, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Kurt Magro.
Subs not used: Andy Attard, David Fenech, Neil Frendo, Jurgen Grech, Jeanpaul Formosa.
Coach: Johann Scicluna

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Dusan Petrovic, Theodore Zammit
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Zarate, Sahanek, Kristensen, Veronese, Failla, Farrugia, Soares
Red Cards: 89’ Tyrone Farrugia
BOV Player of the Match: Thomas Veronese
Attendance: 357