Narrow win keeps Hibernians back on track

A goal by Jurgen Degabriele on the 71st minute was enough for leaders Hibernians to return to winning ways as they defeated Floriana 1-0 at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday. A win thanks to which they ensure they will stay on top the BOV Premier League table no matter the result of this weekend’s big clash between Valletta and Birkirkara.

For Floriana, this was the third defeat in six matches to stay sharing the ninth place with St. Andrews. on 17 points

The Paolites lacked the suspended Joseph Mbong, Isaac Ntow and coach Stefano Sanderra but had three players making their debut, namely goalkeeper Marko Jovicic, Jake Grech and Marcio.

The Paolites scored the all-important goal on the 71st minute when off a cross by Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele’s powerful drive gave Akpan no chance.

FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan, Enzo Ruiz, Brandon Paiber, Tiago Galvao da Silva, Alex Cini, Ulises Jose Arias (73′ Dylan Grima), Arthur Henrique Oyama, Ezequiel Cesani (66′ Clyde Borg), Terence Vella (60′ Daniel Agius), Emerson Marcelina, Lucas Vieira da Silva.
Subs not used: Matthew Grech, Bradley Sciberras, Jurgen Pisani, Edward Herrera.
Coach: Guido Ugolotti
Asst. Coach: Massimo Giuseppe Savio

HIBS Marko Jovicic, Dunstan Vella, Nemanja Radojevic, Marcio Leandro Barbosa da Silveira, Jake Grech, Marcelo Dias, Jurgen Degabriele (78′ Marko Sahanek), Bjorn Kristensen, Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino (78′ David Xuereb), Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca.
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Timothy Tabone Desira, Connor Zammit, Andreas Vella, Andrei Spiteri.
Asst. Coach: Ryan Pulis

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Etienne Mangion
Yellow Cards: D. Vella, Tiago Galvao, Marcelina, Dias, Paiber
BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele

Attendance: 1,048