Fine derby win puts Hibernians in joint-third place

Hibernians joined Balzan and Valletta in third place in the BOV Premier League thanks to a fine 4-2 win over neighbours Tarxien Rainbows at the National Stadium on Saturday.

This was the fourth win for Hibernians in six matches and the fourth defeat in six matches for Tarxien.

Hibs coach Stefano Sanderra named an unchanged side following the 2-0 win over St. Andrews. On the other hand, Ricardo Silva Faria replaced the suspended Michele Paolucci for Tarxien.

The Paolites took the lead after just four minutes when Tiago Adan Fonseca, served by Jurgen Degabriele from the left, hit home past goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.

Tarxien equalised on the 18th minute when off a cross by Ricardinho from the right, the ball reached Jens Wemmer who slotted the ball past Andrew Hogg.

Hibernians regained the lead on the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty after a defender handled the ball inside the area and Tiago Adan Fonseca made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Taylon Correa made it 3-1 on the 63rd minute when Bjorn Kristensen served Joseph Mbong who sent the Brazilian striker through and the latter hit low past the Tarxien goalkeeper.

Taylon Correa, served by Jurgen Degabriele was unlucky to hit the cross bar with a shot from outside the area on the 66th but two minutes later, the Paolites were not to be denied when Correa returned the complement to Jurgen Degabriele with a pass from the left and the latter pulled to the right before slotting past Andrea Cassar.

On the 90th, Ivan Blazevic was unlucky to hit the upright with a shot from inside the area.

Three minutes in stoppage time, Tarxien scored a second goal thanks to a direct free kick by Daren Falzon.

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Jens Wemmer, Radu Rogac (69′ Miguel Ciantar), Daniel Zerafa (74′ Luke Grech), Gabriel Aquilina, Daren Falzon, Andre Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson de Barros, Ricardo Silva Faria, Alex Nilsson (76′ Matthew Brincat).
Subs not used: Maverick Buhagiar, Marco Botta, Matthew Spiteri, Andrew Agius.
Coach: Jose Borg
Asst. Coach: Saviour Debono Grech

HIBS Andrew Hogg, Dunstan Vella, Nemanja Radojevic, Joseph Mbong, Marcelo Dias, Jurgen Degabriele (83′ David Xuereb), Bjorn Kristensen (74′ Johann Bezzina), Isaac Ntow, Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino, Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca (72′ Ivan Blazevic).
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Timothy Tabone Desira, Guttiner Heider Fernando Costa Tenorio, Connor Zammit.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra
Asst. Coach: Ryan Pulis

Referee: Emanuel Grech
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Theodore Zammit
Fourth Official: Etienne Mangion
Yellow Cards: Agius, Kristensen
BOV Player of the Match: Tiago Adan Fonseca
Attendance: 582