Lija Athletic proved no match for Hibernians as the Paolites found no difficulty in beating them 8-1 at the Centeanry Stadium on Sunday.

The Paolites dominated from start to finish to register their fourth win and join Gzira United on top the BOV Premier League table. For Lija, this was the third consecutive defeat as they continue to share the bottom place with Senglea Athletic and Sirens.

Hibs took the lead on teh 18th minute when off a cross by Bjorn Kristensen from the left, Jose Wilkson Teixeira placed the ball at the back of the net.

Three minutes later, Hibs were awarded a penalty after Leon Muscat handled the ball inside the area and from the penalty spot, Jake Grech converted.

Lija pulled one back on the 23rd minute thanks to Fernando Javier Brandan who hit home when served by Ryan Darmanin.

Two minutes later, Lija were unlucky to hit the crossbar with another Brandan effort but on the 35th minute, Hibs made it 3-1 when off a cross by Shola Shodiya, Bjorn Kristensen slotted the ball past goalkeeper Luke Bonnici.

Six minutes in the second half, Shola Shodiya received a cross by Jose Wilkson Teixeira and deposited the ball inside the empty net.

Two minutes later, Shola Shodiya received a cross and headed the ball home to make it 5-1.

Hibs scored the sixth goal thanks to Rundell Winchester who hit home from close range following a cross by Ayrton Attard.

Rundell Winchester added another on the 71st minute when he advanced into the area and rounded the goalkeeper before placing the ball at the back of the net.

One minute in added time, a powerful drive by Jake Grech, served by Connor Zammit, made it 8-1 for Stefano Sanderra’s side.

HIBS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Ferdinando Apap (57′ Zachary Grech), Leandro Almeida Da Silva, Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele (66′ Connor Zammit), Bjorn Kristensen (57′ Ayrton Attard), Dunstan Vella, Gabriel Izquier Artiles (70′ Matthew Ellul), Shola Shodiya Haruna (57′ Rundell Winchester), Andrei Agius, Jose Wilkson Teixeira.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra

LIJA Luke Bonnici, Carl Joseph Cassar (46′ McAllister Clinch), Leon Muscat, Daniel Scerri, Neil Micallef, Fernando Javier Brandan, Ryan Darmanin (75′ Pedro Luis Soares Gusso), Juan Cruz Gill, Nicholas Mclaren (60′ Ryan Dalli), Andre White, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho.
Coach: Joseph Galea

Referee: Alex Johnson
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: F. Apap (H), A. White, L. Muscat, M. Clinch (L)
BOV Player of the Match: Shola Shodiya