Hibernians crowned BOV Premier League champions

Hibernians were crowned BOV Premier League champions as they came from behind to beat nine-man Floriana 3-1. This is the eleventh championship for the Paolites who have now extended their unbeaten run in this campaign to thirty matches.

For the Greens, this was a disappointing result as apart from losing, they also had two players sent off. With three games to go for the end of the season, they lie seven points behind Balzan as both sides seek the fourth place which will probably mean the a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer.

Both sides were unable to field their best formation due to the absence of Conor Borg, Clyde Borg, Amadou Samb and Matteo Piciollo for Floriana, Rui da Gracia Gomes and Andrew Cohen for Hibernians.

The Paolites had the first attempt at goal on the 7th with a Jackson Lima freekick ending just wide. Floriana replied with an intelligent pass by Vito Plut for Giovanni Galea but Bonello blocked his attempt.

Floriana managed to take the lead on the 11th minute when off a Steve Pisani corner from the left, Steve Bonnici headed the ball home past goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Four minutes later, Hibernians equalised when off a cross by Failla, there was a short clearance and Jorge Pereira da Silva headed the ball home past Calleja Cremona.

On the 18th minute, Jackson Lima almost put the Paolites ahead when he received a cross from the left, anticipating the goalkeeper and hitting low but the ball hit the foot of the upright; off the rebound, his second attempt was cleared into safety by a defender.

Six minutes later, Kristensen sent Jorginho through inside the area only to be brought down by Matthew Calleja Cremona. Referee Marco Borg ordered a penalty and sent off the Floriana goalkeeper. From the penalty spot, Clayton Failla beat substitute goalkeeper Valerio Senatore.

Just before the end of the second half, Hibernians increased the lead when Kristensen served Jorginho whose low shot from outside the area gave Senatore no chance.

Fourteen minutes in the second half, Hibs went close once again with a Jorginho header which was blocked into a corner by Senatore. The Brazilian striker had a shot from outside the area tipped into a corner a minute later and on the 63rd, he had another shot from outside the area deflected into a corner.

Floriana midfielder Steve Pisani was sent off after receiving two yellow cards for dissent on the 73rd minute, leaving the Greens playing in nine men for the last seventeen minutes.

 

FLORIANA Matthew Calleja Cremona, Douglas Felipe Moreira Cobo (64′ Igor Coronado), Marcelina Emerson, Steve Pisani, Vito Plut, Emanuel Briffa, Giovanni Galea (46′ Brooke Farrugia), Gary Muir, Sacha Borg, Steve Bonnici (27′ Valerio Senatore gk), Manolito Micallef.
Subs not used: Luke Micallef, Neil Spiteri, Glen Tabone, Daniel Agius.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

HIBS Henry Bonello, Jonathan Pearson, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares (79′ Keith Tanti), Bjorn Kristensen, Claydon Failla, Andrei Agius, Johann Bezzina (87′ Dunstan Vella), Marko Rajic, Jorge da Silva Pereira, Jean Paul Farrugia (49′ Marcelo Dias).
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Joseph Mbong, Luis Andre de Melo Lima, Timothy Tabone Desira.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

Referee: Marco Borg
Duncan Sultana, Luke Portelli
Additional Assistant Referee: Philip Farrugia, Malcolm Spiteri
Fourth Official: Thomas Debono
Yellow Cards: Plut, Pisani
Red Cards: 26′ Matthew Calleja Cremona, 73′ Steve Pisani
Scorers: 11′ Steve Bonnici, 15′ Jorge Pereira da Silva, 27′ Clayton Failla pen, 45+1′ Jorge Pereira da Silva
BOV Player of the Match: Jorge Pereira da Silva