Jurgen Degabriele notched a hat-trick as Hibernians defeated Mosta by the odd goal in five in an entertaining match at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.
The Paolites therefore returned to winning ways after collecting a point in a draw with Valletta in their last outing. Mosta, on the other hand, suffered a second consecutive defeat after earning five points from the first three matches. However, they should consider themselves unlucky to leave the pitch empty-handed.
Mosta took the lead after just seven minutes when off a cross from the left, Bojan Kaljevic controlled the ball before beating Calleja Cremona with a shot from outside the area.
Hibernians could have equalised a couple of minutes later when Rafael Morisco handled the ball inside the area, referee Glen Tonna ordered a penalty but Jake Grech’s effort from the penalty spot hit the foot of the upright.
The Paolites, however, managed to equalise on the 14th minute when off a cross by Jake Grech from the right, Jose Wilkson Teixeira headed the ball down for Jurgen Degabiele to hit home from close range.
Mosta regained two minutes from the end of the first half as Bojan Kaljevic took advantage of a defensive blunder and advanced before hitting past Calleja Cremona from the edge of the area.
However, Hibernians levelled matters a minute later when off an assist by Shola Shodiya for Jake Grech on the right, the latter’s cross was well-met by Jurgen Degabriele who slotted home from close range.
The Paolites took the lead on the 69th minute. Dunstan Vella sent Jurgen Degabriele through and the latter beat Bitseki Moto with a fine shot from the edge of the area.
MOSTA Yves Stephane Bitseki Moto, Christ Evo Ememe, Johann Bezzina (73′ Zachary Brincat), Duane Bonnici (63′ Andrei Spiteri), Clayton Failla, Tyrone Farrugia, Matias Muchardi, Rafael Morisco, Bojan Kaljevic, Kevin Tulimieri (73′ Matthew Attard), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani (80′ Liam Portelli).
Coach: Davor FilipovicHIBS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Ferdinando Apap, Leandro Almeida da Silva, Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen, Dunstan Vella, Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Shola Shodija (86′ Edafe Uzeh), Andrei Agius, Jose Wilkson Teixeira (82′ Rundell Winchester).
Coach: Stefano SanderraReferee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: R. Morisco, S. Shodiya, B. Kristensen, F. Apap, A. Spiteri, G. Izquier
BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele