Hibernians maintained their positive run on top the BOV Premier League table with another impressive win as they beat Qormi 6-0 to stay twelve points ahead of second-placed Valletta.

Former Qormi striker Jorge Pereira da Silva scored three against his former team to pave the way for a most comfortable win with top-scorer Edison Luis dos Santos adding another two goals to his tally.

Branko Nisevic made no changes to the team which had defeated Mosta 5-0 last week. Josef Mansueto, on the other hand, made a number of changes replacing Emerson Vella, Joseph Chetcuti, Albert Bruce, Bjorn Bondin and the suspended Mauricio Mazzetti with Roderick Sammut, Pietro Viggiani, Steve Agius, Ryan Micallef and Anderson Santos.

Hibs held the initiative, going close with attempts by Jorginho and Failla but Qormi also had a good opportunity through Frank Temile.

Hibernians managed to take the lead on 35 minutes thanks to Jorge Pereira da Silva, who received a good pass before entering the penalty area and hitting lost past Matthew Farrugia.

The Paolites went close once again three minutes later with a powerful drive by Failla but Farrugia peformed a good save and just before half-time, Tarabai was unlucky to hit the foot of the post from close range when served by Failla.

Four minutes in the second half, Hibernians doubled the score, once again thanks to Jorge Pereira da Silva, who beat the Qormi goalkeeper with a good shot from inside the area.

Tarabai could have added another on 56 minutes but his conclusion hit the upright.

One minute later, Jorginho scored the third goal, heading the ball home off a corner by Andrew Cohen from the left.

Clayton Failla hit the crossbar on 64 minutes with a powerful shot from inside the area.

The Paolites scored the fourth goal on 73 minutes when following a good run on the right flank by Joseph Mbong, his cross was well-met by Edison Luis dos Santos who placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.

Two minutes later, Hibs made it 5-0 with Tarabai beating Farrugia with a cute lob from the edge of the area.

However it was not over yet as four minutes from time, Clayton Failla scored the sixth with a powerful shot from just inside the area.

 

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Roderick Sammut, Pietro Viggiani, Steve Agius, Alfred Effiong (77′ Bjorn Bondin), Frank Temile (69′ Carmelo Farrugia), Ryan Micallef, Zoran Levnajic (65′ Albert Bruce), Duncan Pisani, Jonathan Bondin, Anderson Michele Quatrochi Santos.
Subs not used: Jurgen Cilia, Joseph Chetcuti, Emerson Vella, Alessio Cassar.
Coach: Josef Mansueto

HIBS Henry Bonello, Rui Da Gracia Gomes, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (19′ Joseph Essien Mbong), Andrew Cohen (61′ Jackson da Lima Siqueira), Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Johann Bezzina, Andrei Agius, Edison Luis dos Santos, Jorge Pereira da Silva.
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Keith Tanti, Jonathan Pearson, Dunstan Vella, Jurgen Degabriele.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Mbong, Bruce, Failla
BOV Player of the Match: Jorge Pereira da Silva
Attendance at the Victor Tedesco Stadium: 842

 

Meanwhile at the Hibernians Stadium, Valletta hit six past Tarxien Rainbows to keep the pace with the Paolites. This was the fifth consecutive win for the Citizens and the third consecutive defeat for the Rainbows.

Valletta forged ahead on 14 minute when off a cross by Roderick Briffa, Abdelkarim Nafti tapped the ball home from close range.

Jonathan Debono blockd a cross shot by Hamza Barry on the 20th and nine minutes later, a powerful drive by Nafti ended high.

Six minutes from the end of the first half, the Citizens were awarded a penalty after Ryan Sammut brought Hamza Barry down inside the area. From the penalty spot, Hamza Barry made no mistake to double the score.

Just before half-time, Debono neutralised an Elford-Alliyu effort following a good move with Barry.

Seven minutes in the second half, Valletta scored the third goal when off a Shaun Bajada corner, Lateef Elford-Alliyu headed the ball home.

On 61 minutes, the Citizens went close once again as a powerful drive by Roderick Briffa hit the foot of the post.

Hamza Barry scored the fourth on 74 minutes when he had a first attempt blocked by Debono but the Gambian midfielder followed the ball to place it at the back of the net.

Jonathan Caruana hit the upright with a back-header on 81 minutes following a cross by Nafti.

Three minutes from time, following a cross by Nafti, Lateef Elford-Alliyu headed the ball over the goalkeeper for the fifth goal.

One minute later, substitute Raphael Kooh Sohna dribbled round the goalkeeper before placing the ball at the back of the net to seal the issue with a sixth goal.

VALLETTA Nicholas George Vella, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Steve Borg (72’ Luke Dimech) Ryan Camilleri, Ryan Fenech (69’ Hugo Faria), Roderick Briffa, Lateef Elford-Alliyu, Hamza Barry (76’ Rafael Kooh Sohna) Shaun Bajada, Abdelkarim Nafti.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Luke Montebello, Llywelyn Cremona, Christian Caruana.
Coach: Gilbert Agius

TARXIEN Jonathan Debono, Kane Paul Farrugia, Manuel Caruana, Cleber Barbosa Viana, Triston Caruana, Wesley Lima Silva (62’ Steve Sadowski), Ryan Sammut, Luke Zahra, Alexander Cini (62’ Luke Aquilina), Matthew Tabone, Jorge Santos Silva (40’ Manuel Xerri).
Subs not used: Sean Cini, Alvaro Andre Rodrigues Silva, Carlos Hevia Menendez, Alessandro Lopes Pereira.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Chris Lautier
Yellow cards: Tabone
Scorers: 14’ Abel Karim Nafti, 39’ Hamza Barry pen, 52’ Lateef Elford Alliyu, 74′ Hamza Barry, 87’ Lateef Elford Alliyu, 88′ Raphael Kooh Sohna
BOV Player of the Match : Roderick Briffa
Attendence at the Hibernians Stadium: 651