M’Xlokk, Hibs share spoils in draw

Four goals were scored in the first thirty-two minutes as Marsaxlokk and Hibernians shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Marsaxlokk managed to take a two-goal lead in the first seven minutes but the Paolites hit back with two goals to earn a point from the game. The Southseasiders join Hamrun and Floriana on six points with the Paolites lying on the five-points mark.

Missing for Marsaxlokk were Emil Yanchev and Peter Pullicino. Hibernians, on the other hand, were in full strength.

Marsaxlokk managed to take the lead on the 4th minute thanks to a low shot from inside the area by Trevor Templeman who placed the ball in the corner on the right.

Three minutes later, the Southseasiders made it 2-0 as Dylan Kokavessis sent Alfred Effiong through and the latter hit low past goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Three Paolites were back in contention as Andrew Cohen sent Paul McManus through and the latter beat Reuben Gauci with a diagonal shot from the left.

Six minutes later, Paul McManus had a great opportunity to level matters but his diagonal shot from the right just missed the target.

Hibernians equalised on the 32nd minute when off a quick-taken freekick by Levnaic, Andrew Cohen exchanged the ball with McManus before slotting the ball past Gauci from the left.

One minute from the end of the first half, Julio Alcorse missed a good chance hitting high off a cross by Effiong from the left.

Eight minutes in the second half, Mario Muscat turned into a corner a header by Alfred Effiong off a corner by Martin Deanov. Then on the hour, Effiong was unlucky to hit the foot of the post from close range.

Alfred Effiong was voted BOV Player of the Match.

M’XLOKK Reuben Gauci, Carlo Mamo, Gareth Sciberras, Martin Deanov (75’ Andrew Spiteri), Malcolm Licari, Alfred Effiong, Clive Brincat, Rumen Galabov, Trevor Templeman, Dylan Kokavessis (21’ Julio Alcorse), Ruben Guerreiro Gravata (90’ Sunday Eboh).
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Kevin Polidano, Gary Caruana, Manuel Caruana.
Coach: Patrick Curmi

HIBS Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri (26’ Matthew Tabone), Matt Clarke, Aaron Xuereb (77’ Bjorn Kristensen), Adrian Pulis, Edward Herrera (63’ Jean Paul Farrugia), Zoran Levnaic, Andrew Cohen, Triston Caruana, Paul McManus, Richie Hart.
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Steve Pisani, Matthew Gauci, Jonathan Pearson.
Coach: Mark Miller
Assistant Coach: Edmond Lufi

Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Joe Camilleri, Malcolm Mercieca
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: Sciberras, Mamo, Levnaic, Brincat, McManus, Herrera, Guerreiro
Scorers: 4′ Trevor Templeman (M); 7′ Alfred Effiong; 16′ Paul McManus (H); 32′ Andrew Cohen (H)
Spectators: 1,720