Hibernians registered a fifth consecutive win to extend their positive run in the BO Premier League to eight matches as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 at the Hibernians Stadium.
It was a fine win for Branko Nisevic’s side despite having to play in ten men for over eighty-four minutes after having the goalkeeper sent off. The Rainbows, who suffered the second defeat in three matches, disappointed as after missing a penalty early in the game, failed to take advantage of the fact that Hibernians were playing in ten men.
The game started with a bang as after just six minutes, Luke Montebello advanced into the area, only to be floored by Hibs goalkeeper Jurgen Borg referee Glen Tonna ordered a penalty and the Hibs goalkeeper was sent off. However from the penalty spot, Ayrton Azzopardi hit incredible wide.
The Paolites replied with a fine curved shot by Gilmar from outside the area which however hit the upright on the 15th minute.
Hibs managed to break the deadlock nine minutes in the second half when off a Clayton Failla corner, Andrew Cohen’s close-range effort was deflected by Daniel Zerafa into the net for an own goal.
On the hour, the Paolites doubled the score when off a freekick from the right by Clayton Failla, Andrei Agius headed home past goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.
Photo: Copyright © Jonathan Bugeja
HIBS Jurgen Borg, Rui da Gracia Gomes, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Marcelo Dias, Andrew Cohen (80 Denni Rocha dos Santos), Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Andrei Agius, Jorge da Silva Pereira (8 Rudy Briffa gk), Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (87 Joseph Mbong), Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Jonathan Pearson, Jurgen Degabriele, Jean Paul Farrugia, Zach Scerri.
Coach: Branko NisevicTARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Manuel Caruana (77 Ren Mizugashira), Timothy Tabone Desira, Triston Caruana, Ayrton Azzopardi (57 Danilo Meira Santos), Lucky Omeruo (70 Anderson Raimundo da Silva), Luke Montebello, Daniel Zerafa, Alex da Paixao Alves, Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Brandon Muscat, Roderick Bajada, Gaetano Gesualdi.
Coach: Jacques ScerriReferee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Ryan Aquilina
Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Stefan Pace
Fourth Official: William Debattista
Yellow Cards: A. Azzopardi, A. Agius, M. Dias, Baker
Red Cards: 6′ Jurgen Borg
Scorers: 54′ own goal, 60′ Andrei Agius
BOV Player of the Match: Clayton Failla
Attendance at the Hibernians Stadium: 1,264
Meanwhile Sliema Wanderers and Mosta shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in a match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
A draw which leaves Mosta seven points ahead of the Wanderers, as they join Tarxien on the 25-point mark.
Mosta managed to take the lead on the 27th minute when off a cross by an Zammit from the left flank, Gustavo De Paulo’s header beat goalkeeper Timothy Aquilina. Sliema, however, restored equilibrium on the 55th minute when the Mosta defence failed to clear the ball following a cross by Gatt Baldacchino and Mark Scerri slammed the ball past goalkeeper Yenz Cini.
SLIEMA Timothy Aquilina, Alex Muscat, Mark Scerri (86’ Peter Xuereb), Michael Mifsud, Pedro Henrique Dos Santos Calcado (76’ Aiden Jake Friggieri), Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma, Clifford Gatt Baldachino, Marko Potezica, Johann Bezzina, Gary Muir, Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Justin Vella, Sebastian Perdomo Esiquivel, Christian Fernando Toro Perdomo, Kyle Hendry.
Coach: Stephen AzzopardiMOSTA Yenz Cini, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Tyrone Farrugia, Hassan Yau, Dyson Falzon, Osa Guobadia, Kyle Frendo (83’ Adrian Borg), Manolito Micallef (86’ James Brincat), Onyekachi Donatus Okonkwo, Ian Zammit (68’ Samuel Chukwide), Gustavo De Paulo. Subs not used: Emanuel Borg, Mark Brincat, Saviour Fidelis, Ryan Grech.
Coach: Anton CremonaReferee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Dimech, Okonkwo, Gatt Baldacchino, Chukwide
Scorers: 27’ Gustavo De Paulo, 55’ Mark Scerri
BOV Player of the Match: Johann Bezzina
Attendance at the Victor Tedesco Stadium: 375