Hibernians extended their positive run thanks to another hard-fought win, this time in an entertaining clash with Zejtun Corinthians at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.
Stefano Sanderra’s side therefore registers a sixth consecutive positive result to move three points clear of Gzira, Hamrun and Sliema, who all have a game in hand. Zejtun, on the other hand, suffer another narrow defeat after losing 1-2 to Gzira last week.
The Paolites managed to take the lead on the 13th minute when Shola Shodiya received an assist by Jake Grech on the right and hit low past goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone.
Four minutes later, Hibs doubled the score when Jurgen Degabriele pounced on a back header by Herrera on the left and lobbed the ball over the Zejtun goalkeeper.
However, Zejtun reduced the gap on 36 minutes after Kemar Reid was floored inside the area and the same player converted from the penalty spot.
Five minutes from the end of the first half, the Corinthians levelled matters when Adrian Carabott served Rafael de Fex Mariaga and the latter pulled to a more central position before beating Matthew Calleja Cremona with a fine shot from the edge of the area.
However, seven minutes from time, Hibs were awarded a penalty after Gabriel Izquier was brought down inside the area and from the penalty spot, Jake Grech converted.
ZEJTUN Ibrahim Kone, Diego Albanese, Lucas Gama Moreira, Adrian Carabott, Kemar Reid, Marcelo Pereira Muniz, Gianluca Bugeja (61′ Dylan Agius), Ricardo Silva Faria, Edward Herrera, Neil Tabone, Rafael de Fex Mariaga (84′ Jurgen Suda).
Coach: Orosco AnonamHIBS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Ferdinando Apap, Leandro Almeida da Silva, Ayrton Attard, Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele (84′ Zachary Karl Grech), Dunstan Vella, Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Shola Shodiya, Andrei Agius, Jose Wilkson Teixeira (73′ Rundell Winchester).
Coach: Stefano SanderraReferee: Stefan Pace
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech
Yellow Cards: Muniz, Ricardinho, de Fex, Vella, Teixeira, Apap
BOV Player of the Match: Rafael de Fex Mariaga
Andrew
Another good display that we equaled our performance with a much qouted opponent. Unfortunately this time wasn’t the luck that held us from a golden point. We can’t make mistakes that ruin such a good performance. The penalty that was granted to Hibs could be avoided. I come to this conclusion, because we had the majority of players defending the action that led to this penalty. Also previously there was useless foul that led to a yellow card. It is the third match that we lost in the last 10 minutes, so now we need to be careful at these times.
A remarkable point is that we didn’t throw in the towel after we were loosing 2-0 just after just 18 minutes and we managed to pair the result just before half time.
I want to compliment our coaching staff as it is evident that our players are prepared both physically and mentally and this encourage us more for the coming matches.
Kuragg Blues!!