Hamrun Spartans continued to disappoint as they suffered a sixth consecutive defeat, losing 0-3 to Mosta.
This defeat leaves the Spartans third from bottom. Mosta, on the other hand, move fourth on 25 points.
Both sides were unable to field their best formation due to the absence of a number of players, namely Angel Yoshev, Anton Vergilov and Roderick Fenech for Hamrun Spartans, Ryan Grech, Steve Bezzina and Jonathan Bajada for Mosta.
The Blues held the initiative right from the start but Hamrun goalkeeper Andrea Cassar was hardly tested.
Five minutes in the second half, Mosta forged ahead when off an Ousseni Zongo corner from the left, Obinna Obiefule headed the ball home.
Andrea Cassar then performed a good save on Daniel Bogdanovic following a cross by Manolito Micallef on 53 minutes. The Spartans replied with a good assist by Luke Grech for Ryan Spiteri whose effort was neutralised by Justin Haber on the 55th. Obinna Obiefule concluded a solo effort on the left flank with a low shot which was deflected into a corner by Cassar. From the resulting corner by Zongo, Obiefule headed high.
The Blues doubled the score on 61 minutes when off a cross by Manolito Micallef from the right, the unmarked Obinna Obiefule hit home.
Hamrun went close to reducing the gap on 64 minutes with a Terence Vella effort which was however cleared off the goal line by Bryan Agius with Haber beaten.
Mosta scored the third goal on the 70th when off a cross by Danail Mitev from the left, substitute Daniel Bogdanovic headed the ball home.
Ryan Spiteri missed a good opportunity on 74 minutes when he hit wide after beating a defender on the run.
Obinna Obiefule was voted BOV Player of the Match.
HAMRUN Andrea Cassar, Adrian Ivanov, Lyubomir Vitanov, Daniel Zerafa (78’ Gianluca Debattista), Massimo Grima, Gianluca Calabretta, Ryan Spiteri, Terence Vella, David Camilleri, Adrian Borg (75’ Glenn Azzopardi), Luke Grech.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Gabriel Formosa, Ryan Bonello, Rodney Refalo, Melvin Busuttil.
Coach: Stefan Sultana
Asst. Coach: Atanas Marinov
MOSTA Justin Haber (83’ Noel Attard), Alex Cini (46’ Daniel Bogdanovic), Bryan Agius, Ferdinando Apap, Luke Dimech, Carlos Campagnoli, Kurt Zammit (73’ Firas Aboulezz), Danail Mitev, Ousseni Zongo, Obinna Obiefule, Manolito Micallef.
Subs not used: James Brincat, Jean Noel Azzopardi, David Maia dos Santos, Steve Onyii Chiemeka.
Coach: Steve D’Amato
Asst. Coach: Mark Vella
Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Apap
Scorers: 50’ Obinna Obiefule, 61’ Obinna Obiefule, 70’ Daniel Bogdanovic
Hibernians moved temporarily on top the BOV Premier League table as they beat Rabat Ajax with a most comfortable 6-0 score.
The Paolites dominate from start to finish, taking a four goal lead within the first thirty-two minutes. On the other hand, the Magpies were a disappointing lot and remain anchored at the bottom of the table with just five points.
Rabat Ajax were once again a depleted side as they lacked Chris Schembri, Adam Smeir, Ryan Micallef, Clive Brincat and Manuel Moral Fuster. On the other hand, Allan Kardeck dos Santos, Udo Nwoko, John Nwoba and Steve Pisani were missing for the Paolites.
Hibernians managed to take the lead on 16 minutes thanks to a direct freekick by Clayton Failla which beat goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.
Five minutes later, the Paolites doubled the score when off an Andrew Cohen corner, Bjorn Kristensen hit home from close range.
On the 29th minute, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro scored the third goal as he flicked the ball home from close range following a cross from the left by Jackson Lima.
Three minutes later, Hibernians scored the fourth goal when off a cross by Marcelo Dias from the left, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro tapped the ball home.
Ribeiro missed an excellent opportunity to increase the lead on 49 minutes when served by Cohen from the right, hitting high from in front of the empty goal.
Hibernians increased the lead on 69 minutes when off a cross by Jackson Lima, Jean Paul Farrugia served Ryan Camilleri from the right and the latter placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.
Jackson di Lima Siqueira sealed the issue with a sixth goal seven minutes from time with a shot from the right from just inside the area which beat goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.
Bjorn Kristensen was voted BOV Player of the Match.
HIBS Mario Muscat, Adrian Pulis, Ryan Camilleri, Rodolfo Soares (57’ Zoran Levnajic), Jonathan Pearson (37’ Scott Chircop), Marcelo Dias (46’ Jean Paul Farrugia), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, Jackson di Lima Siqueira.
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Johann Bezzina, Brandon Muscat, Keith Tanti.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla
RABAT Sean Mintoff, Ivan Carapic, Joseph Caruana, Justin Felice, Jose Luis Armario Negrin, Dylan Falzon, Wayne Borg (76’ Luke Cauchi), Patrick Borg, Yan Cauchi, David Azzopardi, Clifford Gauci (85’ Kurt Muscat).
Subs not used: Jonathan Azzopardi, Gaetano Gesualdi, Neil Farrugia, Chris Vella, Shaun Vella.
Coach: Silvio Vella
Asst. Coach: Joe Galea
Referee: Glenn Tonna
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Alex Grech
Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Carapic, Cauchi, Kristensen, Azzopardi
Scorers: 16’ Clayton Failla, 21’ Bjorn Kristensen, 29’ Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, 32’ Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, 69’ Ryan Camilleri, 83’ Jackson Lima
Attendance: 473