Hibernians rallied back to cancel a two goal deficit against Birkirkara in a highly interesting game. Undoubtedly that Mallia’s expulsion in the 54th minute proved to be too much for the Stripes as after this sending off, Hibernians were in full command of the match and after getting the equaliser they kept up the pressure scoring two further goals for a dramatic and important victory that puts them firmly in fourth place two points behind Birkirkara.

Birkirkara were the better team in the first thirty minutes but they were completely dominated by a highly motivated Hibs side, especially after the Paolites scored their first goal. Then in the second half the match was a one way traffic affair with Birkirkara unable to halt Hibs’ waves of attacks with Chuckunyere, Scerri and Cohen in splendid form.

This defeat surely puts more pressure on Birkirkara who are losing ground and precious points in their championship race. Yesterday luck was surely not on their side as they went very close to obtain a 3-3 draw but a Hibernians defender cleared off the line and from the resulting move Chukunyere sealed the match.

Birkirkara had a flying start taking the lead after only seven minutes. George Mallia had a brilliant run on the left and his low cross was met beautifully by Haruna Doda who beat Muscat. Hibs’ reaction was an immediate one with an Andrew Cohen freekick slightly over the bar.

On twelve minutes Rodrick Sammut had an impressive run in the heart of the Hibs defence and was only thwarted by Mario Muscat who turned into a corner.

On 19 minutes Justin Haber effected his first difficult save off a Chukunyere shot from the left. Seven minutes later Birkirkara doubled the score with a well executed freekick taken by Doda that gave Mario Muscat no chance to save.

Hibernians however immediately reduced the arrears when Terence Scerri took full advantage of a Birkirkara defensive lapse to beat Haber. This goal proved to be tonic for Gatt’s team as Hibernians had two good chances, both on Terence Scerri’s feet but in both occasions the Hibs youngster shot slightly over the bar. On the other end Muscat saved well a long distance shot from Michael Galea.

However Hibs were surely playing better now and Cohen hesitated and haber managed to save. In another attack the ball came to Aaron Xuereb who from an impossible angle managed to hit the base of the upright. Just before the break Mario Muscat effected his best save off a William Camenzuli scorcher.

The second half started on a low pace with Birkirkara who substituted Antoine Zahra with Adrian Ciantar, controlling with ease their opponents. On 54 minutes the Stripes received a setback when George Mallia was shown two yellow cards in the same instance and was sent off. Hibs immediately tried to make full use of their numerical advantage and a terence Scerri shot missed the upright. Seconds later Camenzuli cleared off the line a Chukunyere header following a Scerri good cross.

Hibs were now in constant pressure and camenzuli was again providential when he blocked a close range shot from Pulis. With the inclusion of Antoine Zahra Hibs started to make full use of both flanks and Birkirkara were in clear difficulty. On 74 minutes Hibs equalised when Andrew Cohen was brought down by Sammut and the same player made no mistake from the resultant penalty.

Hibs were not satisfied as continued to surge forward with Birkirkara unable to ease the pressure, and with five minutes to go Hibernians completed the recovery when Terence Scerri all alone at the edge of the area made no mistake to put Hibs in the lead for the first time.

The last minutes were thrilling with Xuereb clearing off the line a Doda shot destined for the back of the net and in a quick break Chukunyere scored a gem of a goal beating Haber from thirty meters to set Hibs’ minds at rest.