Hibernians registered a most comfortable 5-0 win over Lija Athletic at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday. A win which enables the Paolites to leapfrog Gzira and Hamrun but the Spartans will be facing Balzan later on Sunday.
Stefano Sanderra’s side dominated right from the start with Lija failing to react. Hibs scored twice within the first 23 minutes adding another three goals in the first seven minutes of the second half. They have now extended their positive run to nine matches with a fifth consecutive win.
Hibs took the lead on the 12th minute when off a corner by Gilmar from the right, Bjorn Kristensen headed the ball down for Tiago Fonseca to hit home from close range.
On the 23rd minute, following a short corner by Gilmar for Gabi Izquier, the latter delivered a cross from which Ferdinando Apap’s header was not held by Bonnici.
Twenty two seconds in the second half, Hibs scored the third goal courtesy of Tiago Fonseca who slotted the ball home from close following an assist by Jurgen Degabriele from the left.
Three minutes later, Gilmar sent Jake Grech through and the latter beat Luke Bonnici with a low shot from the edge of the area.
Jurgen Degabriele made it 5-0 on the 52nd minute thanks to a fine shot from the left, from the edge of the area which gave Bonnici no chance.
LIJA Luke Bonnici (Dylan Galea 71’), Carl Cassar, Pedro Luiz Gusso, Ismael Borg (Andre White 70’), Neil Micallef, Fernando Javier Brandan, Walter Omar Serrano, Miguel Jimenez (Daniel Scerri 67’), Juan Cruz Gill, Carlos Flores, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho (Gianluca Falzon 83’).
Coach: Joseph GaleaHIBS Matthew Calleja Cremona (Rudy Briffa 62’), Ferdinando Apap (Matthew Ellul 68’), Leandro Almeida (Imanol Iriberri 54’), Jake Grech, Tiago Adan Fonseca (Zachary Karl Grech 54’), Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen, Dunstan Vella (Ayrton Attard 54’), Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Andrei Agius, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro.
Coach: Stefano SanderraReferee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Slobodan Petrovic
Yellow Cards: Alhinho, T. Fonseca, W. Serrano, B. Kristensen, L. Almeida, M. Ellul
BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele