Edison Luis dos Santos scored twice as Hibernians defeated Tarxien Rainbows 3-0 in the derby. Three precious points for the Paolites in the race for the championship.

For the Rainbows, this was the second consecutive and another setback in their bid to secure a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer.

Hibs lacked goalkeeper Mario Muscat and Jean Paul Farrugia as both were ruled out through suspension. Tarxien, on the other hand, were in full strength.

The Paolites had the first attempt at goal on the 13th minute when Tarabai anticipated Nicky Vella who had rushed to the edge of the area but his lob ended just wide. Hibs goalkeeper Daniel Balzan then performed a good save in two attempts on Andrezinho on the 18th.

Hibernians took the lead on the 40th when off a freekick from the left, Rodolfo Soares had a header saved partially by Nicky Vella and off the rebound, the Brazilian defender placed the ball at the back of the net.

The Paolites continued to hold the initiative, going close early in the second half through Jackson Lima whose conclusion ended just wide when served by Cohen.

Hibs doubled the score on the 56th when Andrew Cohen released Edison Luis dos Santos inside the area and the latter slotted the ball past goalkeeper Nicky Vella.

Edison Luis dos Santos increased the lead on 75 minutes when he received a pass from the right by Clayton Failla and the Brazilian striker hit low past the Tarxien custodian.

Edison Luis dos Santos was voted BOV Player of the Match.

TARXIEN Nicky Vella, Carlo Mamo (63’ Justin Grioli), Andrew Agius (74’ David Fenech), Andre Reinaldo de Souza Esposito, Roderick Bajada, Leandro da Silva Almeida, Ryan Sammut, Daniel Mariano Bueno (63’ Mark Tanti), Branislav Timotic, Orosco Anonam, Steve Bonnici.
Subs not used: David Cassar, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana, Gianluca Calabretta.
Coach: Clive Mizzi
Asst. Coach: Steven Vella
Goalkeepers’ Coach: Michael Church

HIBS Daniel Balzan, Adrian Pulis (83’ Ayrton Azzopardi), Ryan Camilleri, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares, Andrew Cohen (85’ Brandon Muscat), Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Zoran Levnajic (77’ Allan Kardeck dos Santos), Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Edison Luis dos Santos.
Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Keith Tanti, Marcelo Dias, Karl Conti.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Mamo, Levnajic, Agius, Timotic
Scorers: 40’ Rodolfo Soares, 56’ Edison Luis dos Santos, 75’ Edison Luis dos Santos

An unfortunate own goal enabled Birkirkara to extend their positive run on top the BOV Premier League as they beat Sliema Wanderers to stay two points ahead of Hibernians.

Sliema, on the other hand, lose ground and stay in third place on level points with Valletta, seven points behind the leaders.

The Wanderers held the initiative in the early stages going close with a diagonal shot by Ian Zammit ending just wide and a shot from the edge of the area by Matias Muchardi which was parried by Justin Haber. Birkirkara replied with a Jhonnattann effort, when served by Shodiya, which was neutralised by Glenn Zammit on 24 minutes. Three minutes later, Edward Herrera concluded a good move with a rising shot which was turned into a corner by the Sliema custodian.

Birkirkara managed to break the deadlock on the 71st minute when a freekick by Jhonnattann from the right was not held by Glenn Zammit, the ball hit John Mintoff ending at the back of the net.

To make matters worse for Sliema, Ian Zammit was sent off five minutes from time by referee Alan Mario Sant after passing remarks to the referee just after being cautioned.

Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao was voted BOV Player of the Match.

B’KARA Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat (37’ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Paul Fenech, Ryan Scicluna, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (84’ Yosimar Hernandez), Harun Shola Shodiya (80’ Rodrigo Pereira), Edward Herrera.
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Camenzuli, David Spiteri, Joselito dos Reis.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino
Goalkeepers’ Coach: Simon Grech

SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Paltemio Barbetti, Mark Scerri, John Mintoff, Ian Zammit, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods, Shaun Bajada (61’ Stanley Ohawuchi), Matias Muchardi (80’ Luigi Ruggiero), Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: James Abela, Luca Martinelli, Alain Faccini, Josef Mifsud, Beppe Muscat.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: JoJo Bajada
Goalkeepers’ Coach: Roderick Agius

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Peter Abela
Fourth official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: Vukanac, Gatt Baldacchino, Bianciardi, A. Muscat, Scerri, Zammit
Red Cards: 85’ Ian Zammit
Scorers: 71’ own goal John Mintoff
Attendance: 1,531