Hibernians close in on Valletta

Hibernians moved once again in third place as they defeated Hamrun Spartans 2-1 at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.

The Paolites move two points ahead of Sirens and just one behind second-placed Valletta. The Spartans, on the other hand, remain on the 25-point mark together with Balzan, three points behind seventh-placed Mosta.

Hibernians managed to take the lead three minutes from the end of the first half thanks to a cross shot by Myles Beerman from the right which surprised the Hamrun goalkeeper.

The Spartans restored equilibrium through Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares who tapped the ball home from close range off a corner by Clayton Failla, deflected by a defender, on the 68th minute.

However, on the 78th minute, Hamrun were awarded a penalty after Dunstan Vella was fouled inside the area by goalkeeper Jean Claude Debattista and from the penalty spot, Jake Grech converted a penalty to put Hibernians 2-1 ahead.

In stoppage time, the Paolites could have added another when they were awarded another penalty for a foul on Imanol Iriberri but the Argentinean’s effort was neutralised by Debattista.

HAMRUN Jean Claude Debattista, Alessio Capitelli, Conor Borg (38′ Marcello Fava), Ailton Jorge dos Santos Soares, Clayton Failla, Nicola Leone, Darren Borg, Karl Micallef, Carlos Manuel Flores, Mattia Cinquini, Piotr Branicki.
Subs not used: Matthias Debono, Karl Luke Schembri, Marcello Fava, Matthew Robert Gauci, Nikolai Micallef, Andre Scicluna, Miguel Tabone.
Coach: Andrea Ciaramella

HIBS Marko Jovicic, Ferdinando Apap, Joseph Essien Mbong, Jake Grech, Dunstan Vella, Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Andrei Agius, Myles Beerman (81′ Simone Mancini), Jorge Santos Silva (62′ Marcio Leandro Barbosa da Silveira)(87′ Bjorn Kristensen), Edafe Christopher Uzeh, Imanol Iriberri.
Subs not used: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Timothy Tabone Desira, Andreas Vella, Ayrton Attard.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech
Yellow Cards: Mbong, Debattista
BOV Player of the Match: